Chapters authored
Health Information Technologies in Diabetes Management
About 1 in 11 adults worldwide now have diabetes mellitus, 90% of whom have type 2 diabetes (T2D). Successful glycemic control helps to prevent and reduce complications of T2D, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, neuropathy, and limb amputation, and reduce death related to the disease. However, maintaining optimal glycemic control requires ongoing monitoring and treatment, which can be costly and challenging. To improve diabetes management, the development of innovative self-care strategies is warranted. Advances in health information technologies (HITs) have introduced approaches that support effective and affordable health-care delivery and patient education. Technologies in mobile, computer, e-mail, and Internet approaches have shown evidence in enhancing chronic disease management, suggesting great potential for diabetes management technologies. In this chapter, we provided an overview of the HITs in use for T2D management. We synthesized the latest findings on HITs’ effect in reducing HbA1c and managing complications, cardiovascular conditions, in particular. Further, we discussed limitations in the current research in this area and implications for future research. Last, we presented challenges of applying HITs in T2D management in the real-world context and suggested steps to move forward.
Part of the book: Type 2 Diabetes