|
Self-Management Support Interventions that are Clinician-Directed and Technology-Enabled: Can they Successfully Prevent and Treat Diabetes? |
|
Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes – 4th Annual Conference
February 16-19, 2010; London, UK
By Kelly Close
In this comprehensive overview, Dr. Neal Kaufman argued for the importance of using technology enabled self-management support interventions (“helping patients help themselves”) to better improve patient outcomes. Considering recent research, Dr. Kaufman argued that interventions need to target behavior change, as behavior patterns contribute to 40% of premature deaths in the United States (the other 60% – genetics: 30%, social circumstances: 15%, healthcare: 10%, environmental exposure: 5%). Such interventions have benefits to clinicians (e.g., efficiency, improved monitoring), patients (e.g., goal setting, personalized learning), and the healthcare system (e.g., reduced costs, improved outcomes). Although challenges such as lack of evidence, return on investment, and the complexity of the health care system will make implementation difficult, clinicians should strive to use technologically-based, self-management interventions in their practices. Although he did not mention it in his talk, an example of technology for individuals with or at risk for type 2 diabetes, Dr, Kaufman's company, DPS Health, working with faculty from the University of Pittsburgh, has successfully transformed and implemented the only online version of the NIH's Diabetes Prevention Program. (www.vlminfo.com).
|
