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Healthcare Access & Equity study presented at American Heart Association's largest conference

Dr. Craig Flanagan, a Tulane professor and HealthSnap director, advanced his studies under Dr. Smith in UM's exercise physiology program.
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By SEHD News

Dr. Craig Flanagan completed his undergraduate, master's, and PhD studies under the mentorship of Dr. Smith in the exercise physiology program at the KIN department. Currently, he serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice at Tulane University and holds the position of Director of Scientific Affairs at HealthSnap. This collaboration began with the Guardrails wellness program, which used technology and patient data to develop care plans to prevent disease and manage chronic conditions. It eventually evolved into using home devices and wearables to make health assessment and disease management more proactive and accessible. This initiative scaled into a private company called HealthSnap, which now employs approximately 600 people and has created programs for over 100,000 patients across the country.

Recently, Dr. Flanagan and Dr. Smith presented their research at the American Heart Association's Scientific Session conference in Chicago. Their study focused on the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring (RPM) in managing hypertension, particularly within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The data showcased substantial benefits, demonstrating that RPM not only improves hypertension management but also enhances healthcare access and equity among patients from underserved populations.

The research aimed to assess if patients in FQHCs respond as effectively to RPM as those in primary care. It focused on individuals who consistently transmitted data and remained in the program for at least one year. Participants used cellular-enabled blood pressure cuffs, with clinical staff conducting monthly reviews to discuss data and lifestyle changes. The study analyzed patients with specific blood pressure criteria over a minimum of 365 days.

Results demonstrated significant improvements in blood pressure management for both groups. Patients in primary care reduced their systolic blood pressure (SBP) by an average of 15.5 mmHg, while FQHC patients saw a reduction of 17.4 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) also improved markedly in both groups, with FQHC patients showing a higher reduction in mean arterial pressure. Despite a slightly lower data transmission frequency, FQHC patients exhibited greater overall improvements.

The conclusion underscores RPM's efficacy in enhancing hypertension management, leading to significant reductions in blood pressure and mean arterial pressure in both FQHC and primary care settings. These findings highlight RPM as a valuable tool in promoting health equity and improving access to care in diverse healthcare environments. Through their innovative work, Dr. Flanagan and Dr. Smith continue to contribute to advancing healthcare solutions that prioritize effectiveness and equity using technology and advances in digital healthcare.
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