Main characteristics of type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients interested in the use of a telemonitoring platform

Aims and objectives. The main question addressed in this work, and to the best of our knowledge the first study focusing on this aspect, is whether diabetic patients U+2013 before they ever used a telemonitoring platform U+2013 are interested in using such a platform. In case they are interested, it is investigated whether characteristics of interested users could be distinguished. From a clinical perspective, special attention was drawn to metabolic control and to empowerment. Background. Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century. The use of a telemonitoring platform could be an opportunity for persons with diabetes. However, until now, it has never been investigated if those persons are interested in using such a platform. Results. Of the 172 patients signing the informed consent, 137 (79Æ7%) patients filled in the questionnaires. Depending on the type of treatment, about 40U+201360% is interested in using a telemonitoring platform. Patients can easily be identified by the use of a computer or Internet, and interested patients log their treatment data. Most patients showing interest are on insulin treatment without having adequate metabolic control, or are on insulin and oral treatment with low empowerment scores, suggesting that implementation of a telemonitoring platform in these patients makes sense and can be used to improve metabolic control, e.g., by increasing empowerment. Conclusions. There is substantial interest in the use of a telemonitoring platform in insulin using (type 1/type 2) patients, and there is also a potential for improvement of metabolic control or empowerment in these patients. Implications for practice. Implementation of telemonitoring projects is potentially cost-effective in insulin using (type 1/type 2) patients already using a computer or the Internet.

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