Sanitas Inc. in La Jolla has developed a new social media network called Wellaho to treat individuals suffering from type I and II diabetes.

Now, researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine are conducting a trial of the interactive online system, designed to help diabetics manager their care outside the hospital, in order to determine whether it can enhance patient-physician interactions as well as the patients overall health and wellbeing.

Jason Bronner, M.D., associate clinical professor, UC San Diego School of Medicine and internist at UC San Diego Health System, said:

“The trial will study how an online social network may better enable patient care. With a controlled group of the patient’s clinicians, friends, family, and fellow patients, we will measure any changes in knowledge, attitudes and self care towards diabetes.”

At present, 25.8 million children and adults in the United States are affected by diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. In addition, 79 million people in the US are considered pre-diabetic.

Wellaho is HIPAA compliant, compatible with provider networks, and includes telemedicine capabilities.

Bronner explained:

“Social networking provides a common way for patients with chronic disease to learn about their condition while interacting with others in similar situations. As opposed to open networks, the use of this tool allows us to ensure that the medical information they receive and share is accurate, safe and absent of advertising.”

Wellaho will provide users with self-monitoring tools in addition to evidenced-based education tailored for the patient’s specific condition. Furthermore, the site will track how many times a user logs on to the site, how long they spend on the site, and how many participants they invited. In addition, users weight, blood pressure, and glycostated hemoglobin levels will be tracked.

Bronner said: “Long-term, we hope that patients will learn behaviors that impact blood sugar, control blood pressure, improve satisfaction and potentially decrease cost of care.”

Written by Grace Rattue