Telemonitoring: A modern approach to diabetes care.

Remote Checkups: Can Telemonitoring Tame Type 2 Diabetes and Trim Healthcare Costs?

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Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how a groundbreaking telehealth study reveals the potential of remote monitoring to revolutionize diabetes management and slash expenses."


Diabetes, a global health crisis, demands innovative solutions to manage its escalating impact. Traditional care models often struggle to provide consistent support, leading to complications and increased healthcare burdens. Telemonitoring, which leverages technology to remotely monitor patients' health data, is emerging as a promising strategy.

In a groundbreaking study conducted in Australia, researchers investigated the effectiveness of telemonitoring in managing type 2 diabetes. The study, named the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial, explored whether remote monitoring could improve blood sugar control and reduce healthcare costs compared to traditional care.

The results of this randomized controlled trial offer compelling evidence for the benefits of telemonitoring, suggesting it may be a cost-effective way to improve diabetes management and alleviate the strain on healthcare systems.

The Townsville Telehealth Trial: Remote Monitoring in Action

Telemonitoring: A modern approach to diabetes care.

The Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial was a prospective, randomized controlled study designed to assess the impact of telemonitoring on adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (diabetes program) or the control group (usual care). To be eligible, individuals needed to have an HbA1c level of at least 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) without severe or unstable comorbidities. All participants continued with their usual healthcare routines.

The intervention group received additional diabetes care through a dedicated diabetes care coordinator. These coordinators used home monitoring devices to capture clinical measures. The data collected included biomedical information, quality of life assessments, and healthcare costs related to GP visits, outpatient services, and inpatient care. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c levels, measured at baseline and after six months.

  • Regular Monitoring: Participants in the intervention group regularly monitored their blood glucose and blood pressure levels using provided devices.
  • Remote Consultations: They engaged in monthly consultations with diabetes care coordinators via videoconferencing.
  • Personalized Care Plans: Care plans were developed in accordance with Australian type 2 diabetes guidelines.
  • Data-Driven Adjustments: Diabetes care coordinators checked collected data daily and intervened based on individual clinical needs.
The study revealed significant improvements in the intervention group. HbA1c levels decreased from a median of 8.4% (68 mmol/mol) to 7.5% (58 mmol/mol), while the control group showed no change (remaining at a median of 8.1% or 65 mmol/mol). This intervention effect on HbA1c change was statistically significant (p = .004). Furthermore, total healthcare costs in the intervention group, including the costs of the intervention itself, were lower (mean $3781) compared to usual care (mean $4662; p < .001).

The Future of Diabetes Care: Telehealth on the Rise

The TBDT trial provides compelling evidence that telemonitoring can significantly improve glycaemic control and reduce healthcare costs for individuals with type 2 diabetes. These findings align with a growing body of research supporting the use of telehealth interventions for chronic disease management. Telemonitoring offers a promising avenue for delivering more efficient, accessible, and personalized care, ultimately improving the lives of those living with diabetes.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/1357633x17723943, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of Telemonitoring On Glycaemic Control And Healthcare Costs In Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Subject: Health Informatics

Journal: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Robin Warren, Karen Carlisle, Gabor Mihala, Paul A Scuffham

Published: 2017-08-16

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly is telemonitoring, and how does it apply to managing type 2 diabetes?

Telemonitoring is the use of technology to monitor patients' health data remotely. In the context of diabetes, this involves using devices to track blood glucose and blood pressure levels, coupled with remote consultations with healthcare providers. The goal is to provide more consistent and personalized care, potentially leading to better blood sugar control and reduced healthcare costs. The study also measured quality of life assessments and healthcare costs related to GP visits, outpatient services, and inpatient care.

2

What was the design of the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial, and what specific outcomes did it measure?

The Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial was designed to assess the impact of telemonitoring on adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly assigned to either a diabetes program intervention group or a usual care control group. The intervention group received additional care through a dedicated diabetes care coordinator, who used home monitoring devices to capture clinical measures. The primary outcome measured was the change in HbA1c levels, a key indicator of blood sugar control, measured at baseline and after six months.

3

What were the key results of the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial in terms of HbA1c levels and healthcare costs?

The Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial revealed that participants in the intervention group experienced a notable decrease in HbA1c levels, from a median of 8.4% (68 mmol/mol) to 7.5% (58 mmol/mol). In contrast, the control group showed no significant change in HbA1c levels. Additionally, the intervention group had lower total healthcare costs (mean $3781) compared to the usual care group (mean $4662). The difference was statistically significant.

4

What specific interventions were implemented as part of the diabetes program in the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial?

In the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial intervention, participants engaged in regular monitoring of their blood glucose and blood pressure levels using provided devices. They also had monthly consultations with diabetes care coordinators via videoconferencing. Care plans were developed based on Australian type 2 diabetes guidelines, and diabetes care coordinators checked collected data daily, intervening based on individual clinical needs to deliver personalized care.

5

What aspects of personalized care were missing from the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial, and what are the implications for future research?

While the Townsville Broadband Diabetes Telehealth (TBDT) trial demonstrated the effectiveness of telemonitoring in improving glycaemic control and reducing healthcare costs, it did not explicitly address specific aspects of personalized care beyond data-driven adjustments. Further research could explore how telemonitoring can be tailored to individual patient preferences, cultural backgrounds, and specific health goals to enhance patient engagement and outcomes. The study was also only six months in duration and follow-up studies should be longer.

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