Endocrinol Metab.  2015 Jun;30(2):159-166. 10.3803/EnM.2015.30.2.159.

New Directions in Chronic Disease Management

• Kim HS
• Cho JH
• Yoon KH

• KMID: 2282005
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2015.30.2.159

Abstract

A worldwide epidemic of chronic disease, and complications thereof, is underway, with no sign of abatement. Healthcare costs have increased tremendously, principally because of the need to treat chronic complications of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, blindness, end-stage renal disease, and amputation of extremities. Current healthcare systems fail to provide an appropriate quality of care to prevent the development of chronic complications without additional healthcare costs. A new paradigm for prevention and treatment of chronic disease and the complications thereof is urgently required. Several clinical studies have clearly shown that frequent communication between physicians and patients, based on electronic data transmission from medical devices, greatly assists in the management of chronic disease. However, for various reasons, these advantages have not translated effectively into real clinical practice. In the present review, we describe current relevant studies, and trends in the use of information technology for chronic disease management. We also discuss limitations and future directions.

Keyword

Ubiquitous; Healthcare; Diabetes mellitus; Quality of care

MeSH Terms

Amputation
Blindness
Cardiovascular Diseases
Chronic Disease*
Delivery of Health Care
Diabetes Mellitus
Extremities
Health Care Costs
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Scheme of the ubiquitous healthcare system.

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