The use of smartphones for accountable care and evidence-based decision making in the management of gestational diabetes

Superior management of diabetes has become a global priority especially given the exponential increase in the number of diabetes patients as well as the financial implications of treating this silent epidemic. This research focuses on trying to address this issue with a minimum cost by examining the possibility of using a mobile web-based reporting system that taps into existing widely available resources to monitor and manage gestational diabetes. To test this solution we adopted a randomized control trial with twoarm cross over applied to a private hospital in Victoria, Australia. We adopted an accountable care system as the theoretical lens and developed a conceptual framework to bridge evidence-based management with technologies. Theoretically, we unpacked McCleallan, et al's (2010) study with our conceptual framework that consists of providers for information (evidence based management) and technology (smartphone); enhanced Muhlestein, et al's (2013) accountable care paradigm with the three concepts (1) quality of life, (2) evidence-based management and (3) affordable care. From the perspective of practice, we have uncovered far reaching implications for hospital management's cost vs. quality care to patients. In particular, it appears that the adoption of smartphones to support many aspects of care and patient-clinician interactions is prudent.