Application of computers in diabetes care-a review. II. Computers for decision support and education

Abstract

This paper concludes a review of the contribution of information technology to diabetes care. The role of decision support tools for planning insulin therapy using various clinical algorithms, knowledge-based approaches and interactive simulations is discussed, and certain telemedicine approaches to therapy are considered. The validation and clinical evaluation of these tools is reviewzed, as is the likely impact of the routine clinical application of implantable/non-invasive blood glucose monitoring devices. Finally, the application of computers as teaching tools is considered, and ways in which such educational approaches might be applied for disseminating the benefits of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial more widely are discussed.

Key Words:

• Information technology
• Diabetes mellitus
• Decision support
• Insulin-dosage adjustment
• Clinical algorithms
• Hand-held denices
• Telemedicine approaches
• Model-based simulations
• Validation
• Teaching tools
• Computer-assisted education