Guidance published on digital tools for diabetes management

A digital platform to support people living with type 2 diabetes has been recommended for adoption in Wales.

Health Technology Wales has published guidance which supports the routine adoption of the MyWay Diabetes digital platform.

MyWay Diabetes provides personalised management, education, and support for people with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood glucose levels to become too high. Type 2 diabetes is where a person’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin, whereas type 1 diabetes is where the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin.

Managing diabetes can involve taking glucose readings several times a day and making everyday decisions that can help to lower or raise glucose levels.   It has been suggested that using a digital platform may enable people with diabetes to better manage their condition.

HTW looked for evidence on the use of digital tools for digital management and education. It found that MyWay Diabetes has been associated with improved control of blood glucose levels compared to standard care for people with type 2 diabetes who do not require insulin.

According to HTW’s guidance MyWay Diabetes is also cost effective compared to standard care for people with type 2 diabetes that do not require insulin.

The guidance states that the evidence does not support the use of other digital platforms for people with type 2 diabetes and it recommends further research on the use of other digital platforms.

It also states that the evidence does not support the routine adoption of digital  platforms for personalised management, education and support for people with type 1 diabetes.  HTW recommends further research on the use of digital platforms to support people with type 1 diabetes.

To read the guidance in full click here.