Background
The case study presents Dr. Sahas' My Diabetes Tutor (MDT) experience with the CharmHealth technology platform and associated support services. It can be used as a model success story for providers, healthcare startups, and innovators who wish to develop their own healthcare vertical.
Dr. Prem Sahasranam, MD is a board-certified founder and medical director of Central Valley Endocrinology with board certifications in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. When not involved in physician duties, Dr. Sahas teaches at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and writes in medical journals in his area of expertise.
However, Dr. Sahas's passion for education extends beyond teaching his students at Loma Linda University, he wants to bring diabetes education to the 34 million combating diabetes across the fifty states.
A GLOBAL HEALTH PRIORITY
Diabetes is a national epidemic. Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports of the 65+ years population, 48.8% have prediabetes. That is almost half the population! The CDC also found that 62% of non-metropolitan counties do not have any access to diabetes education programs. Rural areas are the hardest hit, where diabetes is 17 % higher than in urban areas.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE KEY
"Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services empower people with diabetes to reach their daily and life goals for living well with diabetes," reports the CDC.
Dr. Sahas says that by controlling diabetes, we control diabetes-related complications, like kidney disease, heart disease, strokes, and others.
“People struggle with diabetes self-management, which can lead to high blood sugar over time and poor outcomes.” says the Hanford-based endocrinologist, “They rely on their healthcare provider for help, but providers often lack the time to educate them, and there may be no other resources to help them."
To mediate these challenges, Dr. Sahas started My Diabetes Tutor- a healthcare vertical dedicated to driving health equity and lowering the HbA1c for diabetic patients throughout the country through diabetes education.
Yet, initiating any such healthcare vertical requires a provider to ask the same proverbial questions.
- What infrastructure is required to be successful in a national value-based preventative care program?
- How will I establish and nurture my referral network?
- How will l recoup that investment?
"I want to bring My Diabetes Tutor to the entire country.”
Dr. Prem Sahasranam, MD
Central Valley Endocrinology