Korean Diabetes J.  2009 Feb;33(1):58-64. 10.4093/kdj.2009.33.1.58.

Effects of 'Ubiquitous Healthcare' on the Ability of Self-Management in Elderly Diabetic Patients

• Yu SH
• Kim SH
• Kim SY
• Choi SH
• Lim S
• Chang YS
• Lee HJ
• Park YJ
• Jang HC

• KMID: 2222484
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/kdj.2009.33.1.58

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The need for a new healthcare system is growing due to the paradigm shift from health supervision to health maintenance. Previously, we performed a pilot study that examined the effectiveness of a ubiquitous healthcare (U-healthcare) diabetes management program which consists of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and mobile phone services for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we investigated the effect of a diabetes management program using U-healthcare based on the self-care skills of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.
METHODS
From July to October 2005, 17 patients were recruited and provided with a blood glucometer with the ZigBee module and a mobile phone. In addition, the patients' understanding of diabetes self-care skills was examined at the beginning and end of the study. At the end of the study, we determined the level of patient satisfaction regarding U-healthcare services.
RESULTS
The patients' test scores on their understanding of diabetes mellitus improved from 57.2 +/- 20.7 to 72.7 +/- 13.4%. Specifically, patient knowledge of the basic principles for a proper diabetic diet (52.9% vs. 82.4%, P = 0.046), foods that influence blood sugar level (41.2% vs. 76.5%, P = 0.007) and the influence of beverage choice (41.2% vs. 64.7%, P = 0.007), all increased. In addition, a significant increase in knowledge of living standards regarding diabetes mellitus was observed (64.7% vs. 88.2%, P = 0.0032).
CONCLUSION
We conclude that the U-healthcare incorporating SMBG could be promising, as it improves self-management skills of diabetes mellitus patients, as well as their understanding of the disease.

Keyword

Aged; Diabetes mellitus; Self care; Blood glucose self-monitoring; Health services research

MeSH Terms

Aged
Beverages
Blood Glucose
Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
Cellular Phone
Delivery of Health Care
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Diet, Diabetic
Health Services Research
Humans
Organization and Administration
Patient Satisfaction
Pilot Projects
Self Care
Socioeconomic Factors
Blood Glucose

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A schematic drawing of ubiquitous healthcare services using ZigBee module. The data measured were transferred to web-server via ZigBee protocol. The clinicians can assess their patients by logging on the server.

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  Fig. 2 According to the test results, the patients' self-management of diabetes mellitus improved with the use of ubiquitous healthcare system.

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  Fig. 3 The patients' knowledge of diabetes mellitus were higher in the post-test than the pre-test. The questions included nutritional therapy (7), exercise (1), complication (1), hypoglycemia (2) and self measurement of blood glucose (SMBG) (3). (number of questions).

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  Fig. 4 The average glucose levels in the study with HbA1c remained unchanged in both groups.

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