Initiative allows Duhallow Diabetes patients to take charge
A PILOT programme which was launched in Duhallow has meant that diabetics who are taking part in a pilot programme are taking their own readings in their own homes and texting in the results to their GP.
This is certainly proving to be a win-win situation for everyone all around.
There is no specific software needed to do this, but as pointed out by Professor Ita Richardson, the information is coded so that it can be read by the bespoke software where the text is received.
ADA Security in Rockchapel in conjunction with Professor Ita Richardson, who is the principal investigator of LERO (an Irish Software Research Centre) at University of Limerick worked with Dr Bertie Daly in Newmarket on the pilot programme.
So far, 10 patients have taken part in the remote monitoring of their diabetes.
Dr Daly told The Corkman that patients were firstly assessed as to whether or not they wished to take part in the pilot programme.
It is now well-established that in the 21st century, the use of technology is becoming more prominent in the tele-medicine sector, as it can be used to monitor blood pressure, weight, and diabetes by patients in their own homes.
Dr Daly said that 10 patients were trained by the practice nurse to monitor their own diabetes at home. He said so far the patients are giving the pilot programme the thumbs up.
“This is a huge form of self-management and control by patients over their own destiny. So far, there hasn’t been any negative feedback. Patients can take their own readings and it’s texted into the surgery,” he said.
The readings are carefully monitored so that if a reading is off-kilter, then the practice will alert the patient, who will then come into the surgery for review.
Dr Daly said: “This is making home-recordings more objective. Patients are still being seen by a doctor. These test results can act as a prompt that maybe medicine needs to be changed. It also means that doctors and patients are sharing the workload. Overall, we are very happy with this programme.”
In addition, what the remote monitoring by patients also means is that patients can stay in their own homes rather than attend a GP surgery to have their diabetes reading taken. In turn, it can also help to free up space in a waiting room.
Prof Richardson has published numerous papers on connected health in conjunction with Pat O’Connor and Jerry O’Mahony of ADA Security; and Liam Glenny of UL and software developer, Paul Howarth.
Professor Richardson said: “In a rural area, the older person normally drives or is driven to the health centre, where measures are taken by the General Practitioner or Practice Nurse.
“But as the person gets older, it becomes far more difficult at times to get to the practice.
“Additionally, as the population of older persons increases, this can all put pressure on an existing GP system.”