Page 189 - Petelin, Ana. 2020. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije / Health of the Working-Age Population. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
P. 189
e 1 diabetes management using information communication uporaba ikt na področju zdravja | use of information and communication technologies
technology
Eva Skočir, Tereza Sever, Tadeja Vidmar, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction: The incidence of diabetes type 1 is increasing. Meanwhile, dia-
betes represents one of the greatest risks for comorbidity with other diseas-
es and late complications associated with diabetes, thus a great burden for the
health system. Diabetes complications occur more often if the disease is poorly
managed. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in children and young adults who
represent a big part of the working population.
Methods: We used the descriptive method with a systematic overview of sci-
entific and professional literature. We searched through CINAHL, Medline,
ScienceDirect databases. The key words we searched for were: diabetes type
1, information technology in healthcare, diabetes management, diabetes con-
trol, diabetes self-management, disease management, information communi-
cation technology and sladkorna bolezen tipa 1. We typed them into a search
engine in various yet meaningful combinations in Slovene and English language.
Hundreds of sources of literature have been found. Based on the suitability of
the titles a selection was made. Furthermore, based on reading of abstracts,
we decided to include 19 sources in preparation of the article. Inclusion crite-
ria when deciding which sources to use were: sources published after 2014;
resources that have full access online; available articles for free; profession-
al and scientific literature only; Slovenian and English sources only. The litera-
ture search took place in the second half of February and the first half of March
2020.
Results: Progress in the field of information and communication technolo-
gy opens up possibilities for improved health care for patients with diabetes,
which is a step toward easier and better diabetes management. Blood glu-
cose monitors continuously measure blood sugar and transmit measurements
to the apps on smartphones or directly to the insulin pumps. These pumps
then connect to computers where a better overview of the blood sugar status
is enabled. Various smartphone applications provide online consultation and
support for patients. This development creates greater chance for better pa-
tient-focused health care. New technologies offer opportunities to overcome
barriers, such as geographical distance and lack of access to information that
may occur regardless of the patient‘s age.
Discussion and conclusions: Devices such as insulin pumps and various devic-
es for continuous measurement of blood sugar are increasingly interconnect-
ing with each other or with various programmes and applications on PCs and
smartphones, therefore allowing individuals a better control of their blood sug-
ar and helping healthcare professionals identify patterns and options in order
to help the patient. Technology use is a tool that leads towards decrease of
numbers of patients with diabetes complications. Consequently, a higher per-
centage of individuals that are capable of pursuing their profession are reducing
the burden of health care, insurance companies and the state.
Key words: type 1 diabetes mellitus, healthcare professionals, active working
population, technology, diabetes complications
187
technology
Eva Skočir, Tereza Sever, Tadeja Vidmar, Andrej Starc
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zdravstvena pot 5,
1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Introduction: The incidence of diabetes type 1 is increasing. Meanwhile, dia-
betes represents one of the greatest risks for comorbidity with other diseas-
es and late complications associated with diabetes, thus a great burden for the
health system. Diabetes complications occur more often if the disease is poorly
managed. Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in children and young adults who
represent a big part of the working population.
Methods: We used the descriptive method with a systematic overview of sci-
entific and professional literature. We searched through CINAHL, Medline,
ScienceDirect databases. The key words we searched for were: diabetes type
1, information technology in healthcare, diabetes management, diabetes con-
trol, diabetes self-management, disease management, information communi-
cation technology and sladkorna bolezen tipa 1. We typed them into a search
engine in various yet meaningful combinations in Slovene and English language.
Hundreds of sources of literature have been found. Based on the suitability of
the titles a selection was made. Furthermore, based on reading of abstracts,
we decided to include 19 sources in preparation of the article. Inclusion crite-
ria when deciding which sources to use were: sources published after 2014;
resources that have full access online; available articles for free; profession-
al and scientific literature only; Slovenian and English sources only. The litera-
ture search took place in the second half of February and the first half of March
2020.
Results: Progress in the field of information and communication technolo-
gy opens up possibilities for improved health care for patients with diabetes,
which is a step toward easier and better diabetes management. Blood glu-
cose monitors continuously measure blood sugar and transmit measurements
to the apps on smartphones or directly to the insulin pumps. These pumps
then connect to computers where a better overview of the blood sugar status
is enabled. Various smartphone applications provide online consultation and
support for patients. This development creates greater chance for better pa-
tient-focused health care. New technologies offer opportunities to overcome
barriers, such as geographical distance and lack of access to information that
may occur regardless of the patient‘s age.
Discussion and conclusions: Devices such as insulin pumps and various devic-
es for continuous measurement of blood sugar are increasingly interconnect-
ing with each other or with various programmes and applications on PCs and
smartphones, therefore allowing individuals a better control of their blood sug-
ar and helping healthcare professionals identify patterns and options in order
to help the patient. Technology use is a tool that leads towards decrease of
numbers of patients with diabetes complications. Consequently, a higher per-
centage of individuals that are capable of pursuing their profession are reducing
the burden of health care, insurance companies and the state.
Key words: type 1 diabetes mellitus, healthcare professionals, active working
population, technology, diabetes complications
187
