As seen in our previous post digital therapeutics are evidence-based software applications or digital interventions designed to prevent, manage, or treat medical conditions. They differ from traditional pharmaceuticals because they leverage technology, data analytics, and user-centered design to provide personalized therapeutic interventions directly to patients through smartphones, tablets, or other digital devices. They can have a great impact on patient care.
Digital therapeutics play a crucial role in contemporary healthcare by complementing and enhancing traditional medical treatments. They introduce innovative solutions for patients and healthcare providers by providing accessible and cost-effective interventions. DTx solutions contribute to the improved management of chronic conditions, improve medication adherence, track progress, and deliver real-time health insights.
In this post we ask ourselves how does the updated iso 11147:2023 impact on patient care? We take a look at some of the common challenges in traditional patient care and how innovative solutions improve patient outcomes. We’ll explore specifically how digital therapeutics affect patient care (as seen in iso 11147), present scientific evidence and clinical studies that support the effectiveness of digital therapeutics in patient care, and how they integrate with traditional healthcare.
Overview of Patient Care Challenges
Modern day patient care faces a number of challenges that impact the overall healthcare system and patient outcomes. One of the most common challenges is that access to care is limited. Many people, especially in rural or underserved areas, face difficulties in accessing healthcare facilities due to those geographical barriers as well as a shortage of healthcare providers. This can also be tied to long wait times. In many healthcare settings, long wait times for appointments or procedures can result in delayed diagnoses and treatments, which can impact patient outcomes.
Traditional healthcare can also be very expensive, making it difficult for some individuals to afford necessary treatments, medications, and preventive care. Traditional healthcare usually focuses solely on treating acute conditions, but it does not prioritize preventive measures to manage chronic diseases or risk factors. There’s also a gap in communication channels between patients and healthcare providers, which can lead to misunderstandings, delayed care, and potential medical errors.
It is known that the healthcare systems are usually slow to adopt and embrace new technologies and digital solutions, this can hinder progress in patient care. There is a great need for innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes in healthcare. While traditional medical treatments have no doubt made significant advancements, they still face certain limitations and challenges that can impede ideal patient care.
It’s important to embrace and integrate innovative solutions, such as digital therapeutics and other emerging technologies, to be able to address these limitations and pave the way for better patient outcomes. Hence why having an official definition for digital therapeutics is so important, as well as highlighting the impact of iso 11147 on patient care.
Key Features and Benefits of Digital Therapeutics
Digital therapeutics offer a wide range of features and functionalities that make them effective and valuable tools in modern healthcare. An example of this is ease of use, since they are software-based interventions they can be used through digital platforms (smartphones, tablets, computers, wearable devices). The fact that they are evidence-based treatments means that they are developed based on rigorous clinical evidence as well as scientific research.
They go through clinical trials and studies to demonstrate their safety and efficacy in treating specific medical conditions. These treatments can be tailored to meet individual patient needs. They take into account patient data, preferences, and medical history to provide personalized treatment plans and interventions.
One of the biggest benefits of DTx solutions is that they automatically allow for remote monitoring of patients' health parameters. Patients can track symptoms, vital signs, adherence to medication, as well as other health-related data, which can in turn be shared with their healthcare provider for assessment in real-time. They can provide feedback and coaching to patients.
This instant feedback helps patients understand their progress and make necessary adjustments to their behaviors or treatment plans. This is also useful for monitoring patient adherence to treatment protocols and medication schedules. If a patient misses a dose or skips a session, the system can send reminders via push notifications to encourage adherence.
Evidentiary Support and Clinical Validations
When we talk about digital therapeutics (DTx) being evidence-based, we mean that the development, safety and efficacy of these therapies come from both clinical data and scientific evidence. The term "evidence-based" implies that the design and implementation of these digital interventions are supported by rigorous research, such as clinical studies, trials, and systematic reviews. Thus they have significant impact on patient care (iso 11147).
DTx typically go through clinical trials and studies before being made available on the market or advised/prescribed for patient use. In these trials, the DTx is tested on many subjects to assess its efficacy, safety, and potential adverse effects. These trial results are carefully scrutinized to find out if the digital therapeutic offers the desired therapeutic benefits.
Evidence-based digital therapeutics have been subjected to scrutiny by experts in the field. Research studies supporting DTx interventions are published in peer-reviewed medical journals, where other experts evaluate the methods and findings for validity and reliability. They are based on established scientific principles and theories and are developed always keeping in mind how they can positively impact patient outcomes.
Creators of digital therapeutics frequently share open data from studies and clinical trials to highlight the data that backs up their interventions.This transparency is crucial in order for healthcare providers and patients to make informed decisions about the use of DTx. They have defined and measurable outcome measures to assess the therapeutic impact and ensure that the intervention achieves the intended goals.
As we mentioned, digital therapeutics are evidence-based and this results in them often seeking regulatory approval from health authorities, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This approval means that the intervention has met specific standards of safety and efficacy based on clinical evidence. The evidence-based approach involves continuous evaluation and improvement of digital therapeutics based on real-world data and user feedback. This is an iterative process which ensures that these interventions remain effective as well as relevant over time.
By adhering to an evidence-based approach, digital therapeutics demonstrate that they are reliable and credible as legitimate medical interventions that affect patient care (iso 11147). This approach also assures patients, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies that DTx interventions have gone through meticulous testing and evaluation to support their effectiveness in improving patient care and outcomes.
Integration with Traditional Healthcare
Digital therapeutics (DTx) can play a complementary and integrative role in traditional medical treatments. This helps to enhance the overall efficacy and thus improve patient outcomes. One essential way that they can complement traditional healthcare is by providing personalized interventions that are based on individual patient data and preferences. This information can be integrated into the overall treatment plan of the patient to ensure that they receive tailored care that addresses their specific needs.
Digital therapeutics also help to actively engage patients in their treatment process thus improving patient care (iso 11147). They do this by offering interactive features, educational resources, as well as real-time feedback. This helps to motivate patients so that they take an active role in managing their own health. This engagement can complement traditional medical treatments by enhancing patient compliance and adherence to prescribed therapies.
DTx solutions enable remote monitoring of patients' health metrics and symptoms. This is particularly useful for patients with chronic conditions, as healthcare providers can track their progress and intervene promptly if an issue arises. Integrating remote monitoring with traditional treatments can lead to more proactive and timely interventions.
For chronic conditions like diabetes, respiratory disorders, or cardiovascular disease digital therapeutics can assist patients to manage the condition themselves as well as make lifestyle modifications. They can complement traditional medical treatments by offering ongoing support, reminders for medication adherence, and behavior change programs.
DTx solutions can promote preventive care by encouraging healthy behaviors, regular health check-ups, and risk factor management helping patient care (iso 11147). Integrating these interventions with traditional medical treatments can foster a more comprehensive approach to preventive healthcare. They generate valuable data through patient interactions and progress tracking. This data can be analyzed to gain insights into treatment effectiveness and patient response, allowing healthcare providers to make informed decisions about treatment adjustments or modifications.
We hope this post helps clear up the question of how does the updated iso 11147: 2023 impact on patient care.
It's important to note that the evidence supporting digital therapeutics are evolving continuously, and proceeding with research and clinical trials is essential to validate their effectiveness further in various healthcare applications. Additionally, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are continuously updating guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of digital therapeutics.