Digital therapeutics is a hot topic right now. By using digital technology to manage, treat or even prevent chronic conditions, digital therapeutics is promising to revolutionise healthcare. But is this still pie in the sky thinking or could we expect this as our prescription in the not-so-distant future? To help us answer this, let’s look at the key areas where digital therapeutics are being developed.

One important area is the enhancement of traditional medical practices. Here, digital therapeutics is helping to increase efficiency and to ease the load on already over-pressured health services. Examples of this practice are the use of online GP appointments and prescription apps.

Another area is improving wellness. We are witnessing an explosion in the uptake of health and activity monitors, and a staggering 310.4 million wearable devices are expected to be sold worldwide this year. By giving individuals a better awareness of their health and activity levels, this technology is encouraging us to have greater responsibility of our own health and helping us to make better lifestyle decisions.

An exciting area of digital therapeutics is the use of disease-specific devices, which aim to take the concept of wearables to the next level. Tailored for individual patients, these devices can measure disease-specific parameters, monitor drug adherence and provide 24/7 support, helping both patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) to manage long-term illnesses.

Some exciting advances in this area presented at the recent CES conference in Las Vegas:

• Dexcom G5® Mobile Continuous Glucose Monitoring System: a small sensor measures glucose levels just underneath the skin and transmits the reading to your mobile app using Bluetooth
• Clipsulin® device: automatically counts and transmits the number of injected doses of insulin to your mobile phone, helping you to keep track of your treatment
• AliveCor® heart monitor and Kardia mobile app: this device can detect arrhythmias by recording a medical grade ECG if your heart rate appears inconsistent with your activity level

Lastly, but by no means least, standalone digital therapeutics are using novel approaches to overcome individual patient needs and transform patient lives. Innovative approaches include the use of virtual reality in dementia and novel mobility solutions for those with physical disabilities.

With a hyper-personalised understanding of patients’ needs combined with the capabilities of data analytics, digital therapeutics has the ability to revolutionise how we treat patients and to even replace traditional medicine. In order to ensure that it is fully embraced, patients, HCPs and even Pharma need to adapt and change. The future of digital therapeutics is certainly promising; be sure to watch this space.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/blog-digital-therapeutics-within-our-reach-gillian-quigley/