"This study demonstrates that a low-cost clinical decision support tool, without the additional use of continuous glucose monitoring technology, can decrease the number of patients at high risk for hypoglycemia and reduce overtreatment with insulin and diabetes medications that cause hypoglycemia," said study author Jeffrey B. Boord M.D., M.P.H., of Parkview Health System in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The study included 94 patients at risk of treatment-related hypoglycemia at Pottstown Medical Specialists in Pottstown, Pa. Physicians were trained on how to use a clinical decision support tool to facilitate shared decision making with patients and improve health outcomes. The use of the clinical decision support tool and shared decision making reduced the at-risk population by 46% and led to the discontinuation of hypoglycemic medications in 20% of participants. Patients also completed a validated patient-reported outcome tool to evaluate the impact of non-severe hypoglycemic events on their daily lives.