On Wednesday, Microsoft and the University of Miami announced that they are partnering to conduct a new study to determine if software and increased primary care can help improve the health care of patients with diabetes, the Miami Herald reports.
Robert Schwartz, chair of the UM's Family Medicine and Community Health, said, "We're testing ... what will happen if all the patients are able to interact with doctors and nurses through a portal. Will that lead to more prevention? More wellness?"
The study will involve 25 patients with diabetes in Overtown, Fla., most of whom are Medicaid beneficiaries.
Participating patients will use Microsoft's HealthVault online personal health record tool. In addition, patients will communicate with UM physicians and nurses using Microsoft's Office SharePoint Server, Microsoft Dynamics CRM and Office Communications Server, as well as Resolution Solutions' e-learning services.
Microsoft is donating the software platforms, while other grants will be used to provide participants with computers (Dorschner, Miami Herald, 6/10).