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 .
Telematic Transmission of Computerized Blood Glucose Profiles for IDDM Patients
Objective To improve the analysis of  self-monitoring of blood glucose ( SMBG ) and its communication between patients and physicians by a telematic transmission of computerized SMBG and to study the consequences of its use on glucose control of insulin-dependent diabetic ( IDDM ) patients . Research Design and Methods A prospect i ve r and omized crossover trial with two 3-mo periods , one with SMBG recorded on traditional booklets ( booklet period ) and another with computerized SMBG transmitted to a central data base through a telematic network ( telematic period ) , comprised the study . During the latter phase , patients could receive computerized SMBG analysis on individual terminals connected to the telephone network ( Minitel system ) . Blood glucose recordings and HbA1c were measured at inclusion and end of each period . Eleven pairs of IDDM patients on intensified insulin therapy  were r and omized within each pair to start with the telematic period ( group A ) or the booklet period ( group B ) . Results Telematic transmissions were successful ( < 1 % failure rate ) . Although initial HbA1c was low ( 6.7 % ) , it declined during the telematic period ( Δ = -0.41 % ) compared with the booklet period ( Δ = + 0.37 % , P = 0.05 ) . The percentage of low ( < 3.3 mM ) blood glucose values correlated with HbA1c changes during the telematic period ( r = 0.714 , P= 0.0014 ) but not the booklet period . The patients favored the telematic tool to analyze SMBG . Conclusions Telematic transmission of SMBG is feasible . It can improve SMBG analysis and perhaps glucose control , therefore offering a new way of communication between diabetic patients and their physicians
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 .