title: Computer-aided diabetes education: a synthesis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: Computer-aided diabetes education is the application of technology to provide information on diabetes self-management as well as test the users' knowledge and provide feedback. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the impact of computer-aided diabetes education in improving health outcomes. We identified reports of randomized controlled trials through systematic electronic database searches. Three eligibility criteria were applied: randomized controlled trial; evaluation of a computerized diabetes education program; and assessment measured on the outcome of patient care. We abstracted data by using a standardized form. Of 19 eligible trials, 16 trials (84.2%) reported significant positive outcomes. A total of 112 outcomes were identified. Forty-two percent (42.0%) of the outcomes demonstrated significant improvements (47 of 112 outcomes). Considering the importance of patient self-management behaviors in chronic disease management, initial evidence suggests computer-aided diabetes education can play a more significant role in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management and Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Missouri , Columbia, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Austin Boren
authors.forename: Teira L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Gunlock
authors.forename: Santosh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: Teresa C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care