Recently Bayer Digital Healthcare UKI announced the launch of its first digital patient support package, My Kidney Assistant, which is designed to provide type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with the resources and information to help to improve and monitor their kidney health. In England the package will be rolled out to a cohort of T2D patients, including individuals who have already been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The technology was created by the recent established Bayer Digital Health UKI in association with leading patient engagement specialists, Cognitant Group, via joint-working with local healthcare professionals and patient groups, with more content from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. My Kidney Assistant hosts curated, interactive, multimedia content to support to make the healthy lifestyle decisions. This includes, by stopping smoking tips, diet planning support and exercise advice.
However, the digital platform let users to log health data (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar), test results (urine, kidney function), and medication adherence. It allows to set personal goals (including weight loss, activity levels, and alcohol reduction) and delivers medication adherence reminders.
Expected results include an improved ability of patients to manage and understand their risk of CKD, and – for those who are already diagnosed with CKD – an improved ability to self-manage health and treatment in order to reduce avoidable disease progression.
Meeting an urgent need for available kidney health information
In UK, it is estimated that over 4.6 million individuals are living with type 2 diabetes, including almost 800,000 undiagnosed1, and as many as 40% of individuals with type 2 diabetes could gradually develop CKD in T2D3.
To lessen the prevalence of CKD in the population, there is a need for accessible health information and tools to support individuals to monitor and manage their kidney health. T2D is a chronic condition which needs continuous management, and digital solutions can support to maintain lifestyle changes, following medication regimens, and tracking progress over time, which is crucial for long-term kidney health.
Accessible kidney health information delivered through digital platforms helps individuals to make informed decisions, involve in shared decision-making with healthcare providers, and take control of their health according to a personalized plan. Digital solutions can also help healthcare providers to improve their resources by reducing the burden on in-person visits for routine care.
Antonio Payano, Head of Pharmaceuticals at Bayer UK & Ireland, says, the variety which the digital health solutions could offer to improve outcomes and wellbeing for patients, and to relieve NHS pressures, is an exciting area of interest to Bayer in the UK.
By working with expert partners, our Digital Health team can move at speed to exploit the rapidly developing technologies and talent pool that the UK has to offer, at the interface between digital, AI and healthcare to create innovative solutions such as My Kidney Assistant.
