Ford Motor Company and WellDoc Announce Unique Research Collaboration to Help Patients Manage their Health on the Road
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Relevant Connections: Ford Buyer's Guide
DEARBORN, MI & BALTIMORE, MD--May 18, 2011: Ford Motor Company and WellDoc®, a healthcare company that develops technology solutions to improve chronic disease management outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, today announced a research partnership that aims to integrate WellDoc services into Ford vehicles. The addition of the automobile as an access point expands the WellDoc ecosystem of interfaces beyond cell phones and computers to further help people living with chronic disease, and their healthcare providers, better manage their health within their everyday lives.
“People with diabetes must adhere to a strict regimen to manage their disease. Through our research with Ford, we’ve created a unique in-vehicle environment that supports those with diabetes so they can be continuously connected to the tools that help them maintain their daily routines without interruption.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans spend more than 500 million “commuter hours’ per week in their automobiles, making it difficult to follow a daily health routine that is critical to their well-being. By transforming the car into an access point that delivers health management content to patients in a safe, targeted and supportive manner, WellDoc and Ford are now enabling patients to maintain their daily routines even on the road.
“At Ford, our mission is to improve the driving experience by integrating various aspects of the drivers’ or passengers’ lives into our cars,’ said Dr. K. Venkatesh Prasad, group and technical leader, Infotronics Research & Innovation team, Ford Motor Company. “The car has rapidly evolved into a mobile office and entertainment center for many Americans. Our goal is to further innovate the automotive space by incorporating health and wellness services into the car, thereby making them convenient and easily accessible to our customers --all while keeping their safety in mind. Delivering real-time in-vehicle health management services is a revolutionary concept that we are proud to spearhead with WellDoc, a pioneer in the mobile health space.”
The research project between WellDoc and Ford demonstrates how adults with type 2 diabetes can manage their disease using the WellDoc DiabetesManager® System through Ford’s SYNC® voice-activated in-car connectivity system. People with diabetes can enter their data such as medications, exercise, and diet information through speech-to-text interaction while in their Ford vehicle. Patients who utilize the DiabetesManager System benefit from consistent interaction across their cell phone, computer and now their vehicle. The WellDoc software-based system will also allow healthcare providers to access their WellDoc clinical decision support records while they’re in the office, on their mobile device or in their Ford vehicle.
“WellDoc was founded on the concept of helping people manage their chronic disease with the help of everyday personal tools that are easy to use and accessible on a regular basis,” said Dr. Anand K. Iyer, president and COO of WellDoc. “People with diabetes must adhere to a strict regimen to manage their disease. Through our research with Ford, we’ve created a unique in-vehicle environment that supports those with diabetes so they can be continuously connected to the tools that help them maintain their daily routines without interruption.”
The integration will allow patients to use the DiabetesManager System to help treat high and low blood sugars, as well as, make positive, behavioral based choices in real-time. Advanced features, still in development, include leveraging Ford SYNC’s location based services to help a driver not only identify and find a restaurant, but also assist them in making proper food choices at the restaurant.
Ford and WellDoc announced their collaboration today from the Ford “SCI Lab’ in Dearborn, Mich.
WellDoc’s DiabetesManager, which has been cleared by the FDA, provides automated, real-time clinical and behavioral coaching based on patient data. The software-based system supports adult type 2 patients and enables their healthcare providers to configure specific parameters and extend their care beyond traditional office visits by utilizing mobile phones, the Internet, and soon automobiles.
About WellDoc
WellDoc®, a healthcare company that develops technology solutions to improve chronic disease management outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, is focused on simplifying the way chronic diseases are managed through a collaborative, life-changing approach that breaks down the barriers of engagement and adherence by providing patients and their healthcare providers with real-time, actionable information. WellDoc has developed an industry-leading, technology-based solution that helps people with chronic diseases better manage their conditions. For more information, visit Well Doc.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
