Telemedicine could improve diabetes care in children, study suggests

21 May 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

Using telecommunication technology may make it easier to care for some children with type-1 diabetes, researchers have suggested.

Scientists from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracus, US, found that children with the condition who took part in a telemedicine trial experienced improved blood glucose control in addition to fewer visits to their hospital's emergency department.

The telemedicine trial involved patients attending video conferences with their school's nurse as well as visiting the university's diabetes centre.

Children's glucose readings were sent to the centre via a telemedicine unit, with the diabetes nurses at the facility able to make the appropriate adjustments to insulin treatments.

Dr Roberto Izquierdo, who led the trial, said the children who took part in the trial were more inclined to feel better about having diabetes.

He also explained that the children who followed the telemedicine programme were more likely to finish their prescribed diabetes care-related tasks, which can result in the condition being managed more effectively.

Between 90 and 95 per cent of under-16s with diabetes have the type-1 variety.

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