RESULTS The magnitude and significance of the telemonitoring effects on patients ' conditions ( e.g. , early detection of symptoms , decrease in blood pressure , adequate medication , reduced mortality ) still remain inconclusive for all four chronic illnesses .
However , the results of this study suggest that regardless of their nationality , socioeconomic status , or age , patients comply with telemonitoring programs and the use of technologies .
Importantly , the telemonitoring effects on clinical effectiveness outcomes ( e.g. , decrease in the emergency visits , hospital admissions , average hospital length of stay ) are more consistent in pulmonary and cardiac studies than diabetes and hypertension .
Home telemonitoring of chronic diseases seems to be a promising patient management approach that produces accurate and reliable data , empowers patients , influences their attitudes and behaviors , and potentially improves their medical conditions .
OBJECTIVE Home telemonitoring represents a patient management approach combining various information technologies for monitoring patients at distance .
This study presents a systematic review of the nature and magnitude of outcomes associated with telemonitoring of four types of chronic illnesses : pulmonary conditions , diabetes , hypertension , and cardiovascular diseases .
Improvement in diabetes control with a monitoring system based on a hand-held, touch-screen electronic diary
We conducted a six-month prospect i ve interventional crossover study examining a computerized diabetes monitoring system ( DMS ) that conveyed dietary information . The objectives were to compare glycaemic control between intervention and control periods , and to assess patients ' acceptance of the DMS . Nineteen patients were r and omized into two groups , each using the DMS for three months and serving as the control group for another three months . The patients recorded information about their meal portions and blood glucose readings in a h and -held electronic diary . After transmitting the data to the DMS through a telephone modem , the patients received immediate feedback about the carbohydrate , protein and fat content of the meal , as well as the calorie content . A significant improvement in glycaemic control was achieved during intervention compared with control periods ( mean HbA1C reduction of 0.825 % ) . The DMS was also highly acceptable : 95 % patients found it easy to operate while 63 % found it useful . The DMS was thus a feasible model of telemedicine in diabetes care and a larger study is warranted to examine its cost-effectiveness
RESULTS The magnitude and significance of the telemonitoring effects on patients ' conditions ( e.g. , early detection of symptoms , decrease in blood pressure , adequate medication , reduced mortality ) still remain inconclusive for all four chronic illnesses .
However , the results of this study suggest that regardless of their nationality , socioeconomic status , or age , patients comply with telemonitoring programs and the use of technologies .
Importantly , the telemonitoring effects on clinical effectiveness outcomes ( e.g. , decrease in the emergency visits , hospital admissions , average hospital length of stay ) are more consistent in pulmonary and cardiac studies than diabetes and hypertension .
Home telemonitoring of chronic diseases seems to be a promising patient management approach that produces accurate and reliable data , empowers patients , influences their attitudes and behaviors , and potentially improves their medical conditions .
OBJECTIVE Home telemonitoring represents a patient management approach combining various information technologies for monitoring patients at distance .
This study presents a systematic review of the nature and magnitude of outcomes associated with telemonitoring of four types of chronic illnesses : pulmonary conditions , diabetes , hypertension , and cardiovascular diseases .