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The use of technology in the management of Diabetes

Mar 29, 2016

There is no doubt that technology and innovation continues to have a large impact on diabetes care and offers us solutions that are transformative in the way self management has occurred in the past. With the growing adoption of e-Health solutions there is a real potential for accelerated change in diabetes healthcare and opportunities to overcome barriers of the past.

For patients, e-health and social media can translate to fewer clinic and emergency visits, reduced episodes and duration of hospitalizations, decreased patient travel time and expense and increased service access particularly for the aged, disabled and those living in rural areas. 

For clinicians, technology can lead to more informed decision making, enhanced patient compliance, greater efficiency and expanded outreach services and even flexible work arrangements. However, the change poses challenges on the traditional models of service delivery and demands that our industry evolve to meet the varying needs and interactions with of our patient base. 

To not only survive, but to thrive in our practice, we need to not just know what is out there but understand and integrate progressive technologies into our services and do this in a way that directly draws on patient perspectives and needs. 

The purpose of this discussion is to draw on what technology successes and failures you have had and how important technology is for you in your own clinical practice setting.

What technology/s do you use in your diabetes clinical practice? What works, what doesn’t work and what would you like to try?

Information about the discussion leader

The discussion will be moderated by Natalie Wischer,  Executive Director, Australian Diabetes Online Services,Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Diabetes Centres and Clinical Nurse Consultant, Diabetes – Yea & District Memorial Hospital.

Reference

  1. Hunt, C. W. (2015). Technology and diabetes self-management: An integrative review. World Journal of Diabetes, 6(2), 225–233. http://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v6.i2.225

  2. Bu, D., Pan, E., Walker, J., Adler-Milstein, J., Kendrick, D., Hook, J. M., ... & Middleton, B. (2007). Benefits of Information Technology-Enabled Diabetes Management. Diabetes care.

  3. Wyne, K. (2008). Information technology for the treatment of diabetes: improving outcomes and controlling costs. Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, 14(2), S12.

  4. O'Keeffe, D. T., & Montori, V. M. (2015). What's up# DOC? The role of social media in diabetes management. Diabetic Medicine.