When it comes to choosing a virtual care solution for managing chronic conditions—such as diabetes—let’s set the record straight. There is no such thing as “reversing diabetes.” According to an American Diabetes Association the outcome could be “remission,” but a “quick fix” isn’t the answer to the lifestyle modification that people living with this chronic condition should be seeking.
Chronic care programs, including those delivered virtually, with the accessibility, clinical expertise, scale and data-driven approach proven to deliver sustained behavior change—and better outcomes for people living across the diabetes spectrum are what lead to a longer and better quality of life. However, we’ve seen bad actors in the industry as well. Having honest conversations rooted in patient safety and encompassing evidence-based medicine is what can lead to a positive life changing experience.
It’s important to support people wherever they are in their diabetes journey and customize the experience to align with member needs and preferences to develop a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable. For example, Teladoc Health’s chronic condition solution cares for people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as those at risk of developing the condition (prediabetes). With clinician oversight, providing support for people wherever they are in their diabetes journey—whether just recently diagnosed, living with diabetes or in remission for decades, everyone stands to gain from expert coaching, education and self-management support. The State of Vermont, a government entity, recently found success in offering a personalized experience that met the needs of their employees including those living in rural areas and their retiree population.
Myth #1: Diabetes is a condition that can be “reversed”
While some virtual diabetes programs only focus on one or two factors, such as weight loss or fad diets that are unproven in “reversing” diabetes, focusing on creating healthier habits that are clinically-sound, sustainable and with a range of support tools, including data-driven personalization, coaching, education and self- management strategies is where individuals see true and lasting positive results. The medical consensus is that in some individuals, diabetes can be successfully managed to the point where people attain sustained normal glucose levels without the need/use for any diabetes medications. . This is known as remission, and is not a reversal, or cure. However, diabetes is just one component of overall [cardiometabolic] health. Even when in remission, people still need careful monitoring to manage their ongoing cardiovascular and renal risk. For anyone with diabetes, a comprehensive longitudinal view is required. Even people who are in remission need ongoing care and management because remission isn’t permanent. Individuals can exit remission at any time.
Myth #2: Successful virtual diabetes programs require a narrow nutritional focus
Diabetes is a chronic condition that patients will need to manage over time. A balanced approach to nutrition offers a sustainable, efficient and safe way for people to successfully manage their diabetes. While other virtual diabetes programs focus on rigid diets that don’t work for a broad population—people with Type 1 diabetes, people with co-morbities such as heart disease and people who can’t afford or realistically maintain a very low-card approach such as Keto – Teladoc Health focuses on all the foundational pillars of cardiometabolic health including diet, activity, sleep and mental health to help people control their diabetes and get on the path to better health.
Myth #3: Diabetes or weight loss can be managed solely with medications or GLP-1s
GLPs are powerful and they play a role, sometimes as a kickstart to more significant and sustainable lifestyle changes. But diet or medication, there is no single silver bullet. That is not reality.
The benefits of integrated, personalized virtual healthcare, including access to a clinician, a health coach, nutritionist and mental health support undoubtedly lead to better health outcomes across chronic conditions. Additionally, using technologies that bring all of a person’s health data into one place to drive an individualized experience, coupled with our AI platforms to send members in-the-moment nudges has delivered effective engagement with a 90% retention rate after 12 months and reduction in A1C levels sustained for 5+ years.
Read more about the vital ways that virtual care can help to navigate weight loss medications.
Employers should evaluate a program’s clinical resources as a whole. While this includes nutrition, it should not be the sole focus. Teladoc Health takes a holistic approach to chronic condition management to support the whole person, including mental healthcare, coach outreach and provider-based care, which connects members with a Teladoc Health physician to create a personalized care plan for adjusting medications safely—all with continuous support from a dedicated care team.
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