Introduction
Global statistical data indicate that over 300 million adults suffer from diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that can be life-threatening if it is not managed appropriately. Over the past decade, Internet-based self-management approaches have been extensively adopted by adults suffering from type 2 diabetes. Researchers in the health care system has embarked on a course to study the most effective ways of managing type 2 diabetes. One of the most recent studies on the same involves the development of computer-based management approaches to the disease. Researchers focus on the development of a management approach that not only influences the effective management of the disorder but a strategy that also reduces the cost of managing the disorder. Diabetes is a long-term condition and its financial burden on patients needs to be continually reduced. This paper reviews a recent study that was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using computer-based self-management approaches for adults with diabetes mellitus.
Review of the study
Pal et al. (2013) conducted research aimed at evaluating the viability of using computer-based interventions for managing diabetes mellitus. The method used by the researchers entailed collecting data from past studies that published findings on the effects of using computers to manage diabetes for adult patients. The researchers selected 16 randomized studies that involved 3578 participants. The studies involved the evaluation of different self-management approaches for diabetes mellitus, including internet-based interventions and clinic-based strategies. The participants were adults who had lived with the disease for six years and above, and the studies were conducted over 1-12 months. The population was comprised of adults aged 46 years and above. The researchers evaluated the responses of the participants, and they also collected data from the selected article for further analysis (Pal et al., 2013). Their findings indicated that the incorporation of computer-based interventions for the management of diabetes among adults is a potent approach. The use of the internet and computer applications by adults eliminates their need to visit clinics regularly for advice on management.
Findings
According to the findings, the adoption of computer-based approaches to managing diabetes mellitus is effective in providing relevant information like reminders for exercises, medication, meals, and clinic dates. It is, however, clear that it has no significant effect on the quality of health of the patients. Current interventions for managing diabetes mellitus using computerized gadgets like mobile phones do not improve depression, quality of life, and the health of the patients. The participants in the various studies also indicated that computer-based interventions have limited benefits in controlling blood glucose. It was, however, noted that patients that use their mobile phones reported a positive change in their blood glucose (Pal et al., 2013). Computer-based interventions have limited impacts on biological outcomes, and they do not enhance behavioral and psychological outcomes for patients with diabetes mellitus.
The main idea of the findings
The main idea of the findings is that despite the calls for people to use computers as alternatives to manage their lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, the effectiveness of the approaches is limited. Computerized gadgets have been extensively used as an alternative intervention approach to managing diabetes, but the findings have indicated that the gadgets do not necessarily enhance the quality of life for the patients. In essence, the viability of an intervention approach to managing diabetes is measured by its feasibility in enhancing the quality of life for the patients. In the case of adopting computer-based interventions, past studies reveal that the use of mobile phones and applications for gadgets has a positive effect on the management of diabetes mellitus (Ramadas, Quek, Chan & Oldenburg, 2011). These benefits are, perhaps, a result of effective time management with relation to the different health-boosting activities that the patients must apply on a regular basis. The researchers in the study under review concluded that the application of computers in self-management strategies for diabetes has limited positive benefits to the health and quality of life of patients with diabetes. This is an indication that patients with diabetes mellitus should not be pressured toward adopting the management approach. There are several benefits involved; hence, computer-based self-management approaches for diabetes are not obsolete. The approaches may help some patients improve their blood glucose levels and keep track of their daily schedules for managing diabetes. Computer gadgets are expensive; hence, this approach may not be desirable to most adults with other financial responsibilities.
Conclusion
The development of the most viable intervention programs to promote positive self-management outcomes for patients with diabetes has been the main focus of some researchers in the health care system. Managing diabetes is a big challenge for some adults because of the time and costs involved. Computer-based approaches to managing diabetes have been extensively adopted by adults across the world, but the reviewed study reveals that the associated benefits are limited. The efficiency of using computerized gadgets in managing diabetes mellitus is not significantly different from other traditional approaches. The cost of purchasing and maintaining the gadgets is also quite high; hence, adults with diabetes should not feel pressured to adopt the strategy.
References
Pal, K., Eastwood, S. V., Michie, S., Farmer, A. J., Barnard, M. L., Peacock, R., & Murray, E. (2013). Computer‐based diabetes self‐management interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Cochrane Library, 1(3), 1-148.
Ramadas, A., Quek, K. F., Chan, C. K. Y., & Oldenburg, B. (2011). Web-based interventions for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of recent evidence. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 80(6), 389-405.