Beijing Ruijing Diabetes Hospital Launches 'Internet + Integrated Diabetes Care' Model

On the afternoon of March 16, 2016, Beijing Ruijing Diabetes Hospital held a press conference themed “Internet + Diabetes Collaborative Care.” At the meeting,Beijing Ruijing Diabetes Hospital has introduced a new care model: the Taiwanese “multi-to-one collaborative care” approach involving physicians, dietitians, and health educators. Under the same corporate group, multiple diabetes hospitals will simultaneously implement this new Taiwanese collaborative care model and advance its deep integration with mobile healthcare.

At the press conference, Professor Ji Linong—Former Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, President-Elect for the Western Pacific Region, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Peking University People’s Hospital and Peking University International Hospital, and Co-Director of the Peking University Diabetes Center—was appointed as Strategic Development Advisor to Beijing Ruijing Hospital Management Co., Ltd.

"In the reform of diabetes care, private hospitals have institutional advantages over public ones," emphasized Ji Linong. He expressed his hope that Ruijing would serve as a collaborative care hub for diabetes, setting a strong example for other hospitals to follow.

Professor Ji Linong pointed out that the government is vigorously promoting a tiered diagnosis and treatment system with two-way referrals as the future model for diabetes management. He noted that Beijing Ruijing Diabetes Hospital demonstrates a high level of professionalism and systematicity in the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of diabetes and its associated comorbidities and complications. The distinct contrast between this experience and community-based care has strengthened his confidence in collaborating with Ruijing Diabetes Hospital to explore additional diabetes management models.

“I have long been attentive to diabetes management in China and have actively engaged in epidemiological surveys and practical assessments of the current state of diabetes care, exploring methods to enhance management outcomes.” In the future, Professor Ji Linong will conduct similar research and surveys at Ruijing Hospital. He further stated, “When the team from Taiwan comes to Ruijing Hospital for training and guidance, I will arrange for the healthcare professionals responsible for diabetes education to make time to attend and learn.”

Ms. Han Wenwei, General Manager of Beijing Ruijing Diabetes Hospital, introduced the hospital’s collaborative care philosophy at the conference. Ms. Han, who hails from Taiwan, stated that the service concept of “Nine Hearts Warming One Heart,” combined with “collaborative care,” provides patients with attentive, multi-to-one support from physicians, nurses, dietitians, and health educators, transforming the medical consultation process into a warm and pleasant experience.

Moreover, the case management model in Taiwan ensures that each patient maintains a personal health record. Health educators empower patients to become experts in blood glucose control, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to take charge of their daily lives and blood sugar levels. Dietitians guide patients in maintaining stable blood glucose while enjoying food with ease. The peer support system enables patients to connect and exchange experiences with others facing similar challenges. Internet-based remote management links not only the healthcare team but also the patient’s family and loved ones.

Professor Xiao Jianzhong, Director of the Department of Endocrinology at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital and Ruijing’s specially appointed Chief Diabetes Expert, presented a big data analysis based on backend data from the TengAi·Tang Dafu glucose meter, a collaborative effort between Ruijing Group and Tencent. Professor Xiao stated that he had previously introduced the findings of this data analysis at the annual conference of the Chinese Diabetes Society of the Chinese Medical Association. This model combines online big data-driven remote glucose management with offline collaborative care to provide patients with warm and supportive services.Online-Offline Integration Model, which is also Ruijing’s new philosophy.

The most significant distinction between this new model and other chronic disease management models lies in its use of the internet to establish personal health records for each patient, enabling individuals with diabetes to manage their health according to their own preferences while prioritizing the maintenance of their quality of life.

One internet user illustrated the power of this new diabetes care model with figures: “In Taiwan, 70.7% (1.18 million people) received treatment under this model in 2013, and as a result, the rate of premature death among diabetic patients under the age of 70 dropped directly from 44.4% to 29.3%. If this 15.1 percentage-point reduction were applied to mainland China, it would represent nearly 20 million lives saved.”

Since the establishment of Ruijing’s first diabetes hospital 19 years ago, Ruijing has been committed to becoming the leading brand in China’s chain of diabetes hospitals. In the future, it aims to establish more hospitals and expand its presence across China, with a win-win mindset to achieve and solidify its goal of being the premier cooperation platform in the field of diabetes, while jointly fostering an industry ecosystem.

Text | Zhang Caixia