Telemedicine for older people with chronic disease
Evaluation of a telemedicine-supported lifestyle intervention for type II diabetics
Diabetes is considered one of the fastest growing diseases in the world and has a constantly increasing prevalence. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reports about 59 million affected people in Europe in 2019 and forecasts an increase to about 68 million by 2045, which corresponds to a growth of approximately 15%.1
Particularly for type 2 diabetes, the most frequent form with almost 95% of all diabetes cases, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, for example, play a decisive role, both in the development of the disease and in therapy.2 The positive effect of so-called lifestyle interventions has been demonstrated in numerous studies so far.3 Nevertheless, in Germany only nearly 10% of those affected receive such therapies,4 which is the reason why the focus should be on more recent methods - for example, via telemedical support - and the offers should be expanded.
Another focus should also be on the long-term effects of such therapies, since effects that have already been achieved often decrease after the end of these therapies.5
In her dissertation project, Ms. Dunkel focuses on innovative concepts for the positive adjustment of lifestyle in type 2 diabetics with the aim of achieving sustainable change and improving the health-related quality of life of those affected. In a 2-arm randomized controlled trial, patients receive support over a period of two years and, in addition to medical and behavioral components, the use of telemedically supported self-monitoring combined with individual telephone coaching is investigated. The project continues a previous project from the first funding phase of GROW and is conducted in cooperation with Generali Health Solutions GmbH (GHS).
Sources
1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9th edn. 2019. Accessed June 4, 2020. https://www.diabetesatlas.org
2. American Diabetes Association. 5. Lifestyle Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2019. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(Suppl 1):S46-S60. doi:10.2337/dc19-S005
3. Chrvala CA, Sherr D, Lipman RD. Diabetes self-management education for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review of the effect on glycemic control. Patient Educ Couns. 2016;99(6):926-943. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2015.11.003
4. Jacobs E, Rathmann W. Epidemiologie des Diabetes in Deutschland. Deutscher Gesundheitsbericht. 2018:10.
5. Norris SL, Lau J, Smith SJ, Schmid CH, Engelgau MM. Self-management education for adults with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of the effect on glycemic control. Diabetes Care. 2002;25(7):1159-1171. doi:10.2337/diacare.25.7.1159