Observations on Online Services for Diabetes Management

Kwon et al. (1) demonstrated that an Internet-based blood glucose monitoring system, which provided frequent and responsive interactions between patients and their physicians online, can be as effective as face-to-face diabetes follow-ups. Routine medical services typically include face-to-face patient education, in which each patient receives his/her education materials (such as goals to achieve and the knowledge and skills for self-management). To extend patient education for a lasting effect, we have developed a patient-oriented education management (POEM) system (available at www.dmc.idv.tw) (2). In the system, we reorganize each patient’s education materials, medication data, and laboratory test results at every visit and then present the information on the …