Merck tool aims to "transform" diabetes education
Business Wire via NewsEdge Corporation :
Patients in Sustainable Behavior Change for Better Control of Diabetes Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. & SYLVANIA, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2006--Today, Merck & Co., Inc. and Healthy Interactions Inc. announced that they have entered into a multi-year agreement to transform how diabetes educators and other healthcare professionals engage patients in learning about diabetes and making lifestyle modifications that lead to improved self-management. This initiative will utilize a series of diabetes Conversation Map(TM) tools, which Healthy Interactions and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have been developing since early 2006. In addition to being extremely effective at engaging patients, the Conversation Map tools are aligned with the reimbursement curriculum for healthcare professionals as defined by Medicare.
"We at the ADA believe Conversation Maps are one of the most important innovations in patient and physician education in a decade," said Karmeen Kulkarni, immediate past-president, Healthcare & Education, American Diabetes Association.
The diabetes Conversation Map tools, with content developed and reviewed by the ADA, are scheduled to be launched across the United States in 2007, initially being offered to 2,800 ADA recognized diabetes education programs (ERPs) as well as to other healthcare professionals. The goal is to have at least 9,500 diabetes educators incorporate the Conversation Map tools into their diabetes education programs within the next three years.
Conversation Map tools increase patients' ability to understand and manage chronic diseases and other health conditions. They combine visual learning techniques and active dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals to engage patients in sustainable behavior change. The Conversation Map tools help patients to decipher the complexities of diabetes, empower them to draw new insights for better disease management, and inspire them to develop a personal plan for change. The underlying philosophy of the approach is that patients will make better healthcare decisions when they self-determine why change is necessary, what has to change and who else needs to be involved in the change process.
"We have a unique opportunity to make a very real and important difference in the lives of millions of people with diabetes and in the lives of the healthcare professionals who care for them," said Peter Gorman, president of Healthy Interactions Inc. "Patients increasingly need to become better self-managers of their diabetes. Together, Merck and Healthy Interactions will transform diabetes education, enabling patients to advance their awareness and knowledge about their disease, to assume greater personal ownership for lifestyle changes and to employ practical actions to improve their health."
"We are excited to be able to provide proven patient education resources at the level of the healthcare provider," said Patrick P. Magri, vice president, Diabetes and Obesity Franchise, U.S. Human Health, Merck & Co., Inc. "Merck is proud to be the first and only healthcare company to make these innovative educational tools available in the United States."
About Healthy Interactions
Healthy Interactions Inc. (Healthyi) is revolutionizing healthcare education in the United States and around the world. Founded in 2003, Healthyi's mission is to improve healthcare decision-making of patients and healthcare professionals by transforming the way in which they experience and internalize health-related information. Healthyi achieves this mission by developing and distributing small-group Conversation Map tools, web 2.0 tools, and tools specifically created for pharmacy and retail settings. Healthyi also builds and maintains learning networks and venues. Conversation Map is a trademark of Healthy Interactions Inc. Visit Healthyi at www.healthyi.com.
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.
Forward-looking statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements in Item 1 of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.
Conversation Map is a trademark of Healthy Interactions Inc.
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