The Newham Whole System Demonstrator covers two separate research projects, the main being part of the national trial of TeleCare and TeleHealth which is now well underway. The second project is a local trial of TeleHealth based on mobile phone technology called Think Positive (t+).

Like the main study, the t+ trial is a randomised controlled trial but in this case, the 240 patients required are being recruited from diabetic patients supported by Newham’s Diabetes Specialist Nurse Team. Patients will be monitored over a 9 month period and form two groups – the intervention group who will be given the t+ Telehealth service and the control group who will be given care as normal.

The study aims to examine the impact of the t+ application on outcomes such as HbA1c, blood pressure, and body weight. It will also examine the impact of t+ on factors such as diabetic patients’ quality of life, health status, self-care and perceived control of diabetes. User acceptability of the device will also be evaluated, ie its ease of use, practicality, etc. Finally, the nurses involved will be asked to share their perceived value of t+, in terms of its impact on their practice as well as on patients’ diabetes management.

The study is being led by Professor Stan Newman of UCL who is also leading the main national TeleCare and TeleHealth evaluation. Dr Niyi Sonibare will be providing his expertise in diabetes as a clinical input into the study.

For further information on the technology:
www.obsmedical.com/products/telehealth/t-diabetes