Virtual Diabetes Physician Augments Patient Management

Researchers at Erasmus Medical Center (EMC; Rotterdam, The Netherlands) developed the diabetes measuring station, which is not housed at the hospital, but rather in a building in the neighborhood where many of the patients using it live. When a check-up is needed, the patients go to the station, enter their patient identification (ID) and a confirmation ID issued by EMC. The patient is guided through the measurement procedures with the aid of a "virtual doctor" and a touch screen monitor. The instructions are currently available in eight languages (Arabic, Dutch, English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish).

During this dialogue, the patients, who are sitting in the machine, can perform nearly all the diagnostic measurements that are relevant for diabetes, including measuring their weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and their blood glucose and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) level. They can also take a photograph of their feet and scan their retina. All data is assessed based on the threshold values entered beforehand; if these are exceeded, the system provides information about the dangers involved, and gives advice on nutrition, exercise, and treatment. If necessary, the patient is referred to their physician for an early consultation, who also receives the information by e-mail. An emergency algorithm can immediately organize a hospital stay if necessary. The diabetes measuring station was developed by IPT Medical Services (Huizen, The Netherlands).

"At a tertiary care center like EMC, these are mainly patients in advanced stages of disease. And in Rotterdam, many of them are nonnatives who do not speak Dutch very well," said Professor Eric Sijbrands, MD, PhD. "We found a really high concordance between what the patients measured in the machine and what a professional measured."

"The advantage is that no physicians or nurses are needed for these measurements. The time that is saved enables the attending physician to fully focus on discussing a personal treatment plan during the consultation," added Professor Sijbrands. "In addition, patients play a more active role, which gives them more of a grip on their disease. I expect that this type of guided self-management will make it easier for patients to keep to their personal treatment program."

Related Links:
Erasmus Medical Center
IPT Medical Services