Information and comunication technologies in the management of diabetes

Abstract

Fast developing information and communication technologies based on internet and mobile networks have changed our daily lives in a very positive way. Take for an example Diyahat.net, an important development in health information technologies, which enables diabetics to collect, store and manage data about blood glucose measurements, medication and diet lists using mobile technologies as well as internet. Diabetics, at their own will, can schedule the system to send themselves reminder SMS messages for blood glucose measurements, doctors' visits and medication times. Doctors can monitor their patients daily, if they wish, and can update patients' files as appropriate. Therefore both doctors and patients are kept in an active two-way communication. Patients can ask questions using the system to their doctors and receive comprehensive and detailed response resulting in significant time saved both by doctors and patients. The system becomes a significant source for patient motivation and lays the ground for a very effective environment for management of diabetes. Doctors can formulate best treatments for their patients, personalized and tailored for each patient's medical needs. Research done in this area and specifically one in Korea, based on a similar approach have proven that systems like Diyahat.net can help better control of blood glucose levels and of diabetes in general.