Ngoc Phuong Mai Le is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, and the 2023–2024 chair of the APhA–ASP Communications Standing Committee. Nikhil Sangave, PharmD, BCACP, is an adjunct assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston.
Digital health encompasses important and evolving tools for utilization in pharmacy practice and improvement of patient outcomes, and is defined as the technology used in health professions to manage diseases with the purpose of promoting wellness. Digital health has demonstrated the potential to improve clinical outcomes in pharmacy practice and reduce associated costs with chronic disease state management.1 These tools may include wearable devices, mobile applications, and telehealth.1
Digital health in diabetes management
The role of digital health has become increasingly valuable in the management of diabetes, particularly due to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). CGM devices provide real-time monitoring of blood glucose levels, hypoglycemia alerts, and increase in time in the euglycemic range.2 They also enable patients to identify trends for management of medication, diet, and exercise.
Smart insulin devices are also helpful tools to aid in insulin compliance and avoid dosage errors; for example, the smart insulin pen system InPen (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) can be connected to iPhones via Bluetooth to record users’ most recent blood glucose readings, calculate the recommended insulin dose for administration, and document the injected amount, and GoCap (Common Sensing, Cambridge, MA) is a smart sensor that detects the remaining dose in insulin pens and how much dose has been injected previously.3 These sensors serve as a replacement for normal insulin pen caps to provide accurate dosing information and digital documents for patients. The cap sensor also alerts users of their next scheduled injection and if the temperature is ideal for storage.3 Although there’s limited data on the efficacy of these technologies, they have the potential to enhance the efficiency of diabetes management and empower patients to take control of their own health.
Role of pharmacists in digital health
Pharmacists are trusted health care professionals who play an important role in improving patient outcomes, managing chronic diseases for patients, and ensuring the delivery of quality health care.4 Pharmacists can also encourage student pharmacists and colleagues to pursue further training and education in digital health to become better informed and equipped for future practice. Training resources may include certificate programs, continuing education credits, residencies, or fellowships as well as professional conferences focusing on digital health.4
Student pharmacists in digital health
At the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) Boston campus, student pharmacists have opportunities for digital health education. For example, student pharmacists in their third year are required to take a course in which they learn how to effectively counsel patients on CGM and interpret blood glucose readings. Should student pharmacists wish to seek further opportunities for digital health education, they can also register for an elective called Digital Health for Healthcare Professionals, which covers a variety of aspects in digital health such as artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, sensors, connected devices, mobile health applications, digital therapeutics, and telehealth.
During American Pharmacists’ Month in October 2022, MCPHS Boston’s APhA–ASP Chapter members conducted an event called Integrating Tech into Healthcare in which Operation Heart, Operation Immunization, Operation Reproductive Health, Operation Diabetes, Operation OTC Medicine Safety, and Operation Substance Use Disorder collaborated to educate students and the MCPHS community, and raise awareness of current technologies in health care. The session provided the audience with insights on current apps, websites, and devices that offer screening and testing services that are affordable and accessible for patients with different needs, such as resources for vaccination reminders, apps for discounted prescriptions on oral contraceptives, and STD and HIV testing along with other reproductive health products and services.
Digital health plays an important role in the landscape of health care delivery and the role of pharmacists in patient care. It’s crucial that student pharmacists receive education and training on digital health to become proficient in leveraging such technologies and improving the quality of care for patients. Student pharmacists should actively seek opportunities to enhance their digital health knowledge and skills as future health care providers.
References
- Ronquillo Y, Meyers A, Korvek SJ. Digital Health. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
- Schubert-Olesen O, Kröger J, Siegmund T, et al. Continuous glucose monitoring and physical activity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(19):12296.
- Sangave NA, Aungst TD, Patel DK. Smart connected insulin pens, caps, and attachments: A review of the future of diabetes technology. Diabetes Spectr. 2019;32(4):378–384.
- Sangave NA, Cheung C. Artificial intelligence applications in education and pharmacy practice. Cranbury, NJ: MJH Life Sciences. Available at: www.pharmacytimes.com/view/artificial-intelligence-applications-in-education-and-pharmacy-practice. Accessed May 16, 2023.