New York City-based Sense Health announced results from a randomized control trial of its mobile care management platform that focused on engaging a high-cost Medicaid population. Said platform can create, deliver and monitor interactive SMS-based support plans to improve patient adherence to medications, doctor appointments and care plans.
The clinical trial was conducted with Montefiore Medical Center’s University Behavioral Associates (UBA) and supported by a $100,000 Pilot Health Tech NYC grant. After a two month test period with 67 patients and 15 care managers involved in Montefiore Medical Center’s Medicaid Health Home, Sense Health found a significant improvement in a number of key patient engagement metrics, including: self-reported patient adherence to appointments (40% increase), medications (12% increase) and care plan goals (7% increase).
Not only did clients using Sense Health report more engagement in their care plans, but patients and their care managers also reported greater ease in connecting with each other.“Our goal was to understand whether mobile technology would help our care managers provide more consistent and efficient support and quality care for our Medicaid patients,” said Donald A. Bux, Ph.D., director, Behavioral Healthcare Management, University Behavioral Associates. “At first we were concerned that mobile technology might feel impersonal and lead to a disconnect, but… Not only did clients using Sense Health report more engagement in their care plans, but patients and their care managers also reported greater ease in connecting with each other.”
The study also looked to measure improvements in some of the key health determinants that dictate how effectively someone manages their own health, like knowledge, motivation and ability. The clinical trial found patients receiving care management support with Sense Health technology were 21% more motivated, 26% more confident, and 22% more knowledgeable about the lifestyle changes recommended for their health, compared to patients simply receiving care management services without the intervention.
Following the clinical trial, Sense Health will be reaching out to larger patient populations through partnerships with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations.