Scope of information communications technology in the health of diabetes patients in poor rural zones of panama through holistic, interactive, and persuasive model to facilitate self-care of diabetes patients.
BACKGROUND
In Latin America, public health systems that manage and warrant the health of the population lack mechanisms and technological capabilities that enable them to accept and adopt initiatives focused to guide, look after, and improve the quality of life of millions of patients with diabetes who need attention and special care. However, the proposal presented here for a holistic, interactive, and persuasive model to facilitate self-care of diabetes patients (hiPAPD) is the first proposal in Panama, Central America, and the Caribbean Region to develop and implement information communications technology (ICT) platforms for the care of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes.


METHODS
The process of experimentation was initiated with an agreement with all the staff of the project to comply with the international biomedical studies stipulations, having as reference the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association (Recommendations to Guide to Doctors in Biomedical Research on People).


RESULTS
After several months of evaluation and ongoing work the study obtained successful validation of the hiPAPD model. The project had the support of 107 patients with diabetes, their families, friends, doctors, nurses and nursing assistants, and social groups in rural communities. Finally, the project contributed to society with a highly innovative ICT environment that facilitates self-care of diabetes patients without financial resources and health.


CONCLUSIONS
A timely health treatment at a decisive moment may be the difference in care for patients. Through the validation process conducted in this research initiative, it was demonstrated that the hiPAPD model, from the perspective of the patient with diabetes, relatives, friends, health workforce (nurses and nursing assistants), doctors, and societal contexts, allowed the improvement of the quality of life of patients with diabetes in poor rural zones of Panama.
Vargas-Lombardo
Miguel
M
National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama, Panama. miguel.vargas@utp.ac.pa
Jipsion
Armando
A
Alvarez
Humberto
H
Ruiz
Ernestina Mensalva
EM
Mora
Elena Villalba
EV
D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010176:Panama / Q000453:epidemiology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011634:Public Health; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*