Technologies to better serve the millions of diabetic patients: a holistic, interactive and persuasive ICT model to facilitate self care, in extremely poor rural zones of Central America.
Health indicators express remarkable gaps between health systems at a world-wide level. Countries of the entire world are overflowed by the need of new strategies, methodologies and technologies to better serve the millions of patients, who demand better medical attention. The present archaic and ephemerally systematized systems widen the gap even more than the quality of medical services that should be provided for the millions of diabetic patients. It is therefore necessary to develop highly familiar environments with diabetic patients and their care needs. A Holistic, Interactive and Persuasive ICT model to facilitate self care of patients with diabetes (hIPAPD), is proposed as an innovative technological development in Panama to health optimized treatment for diabetic patients. Three health centers located in the District of Aguadulce, Province of Cocle, located on Panama's Pacific Coast, were selected to validate the model; the area presents extremely poor population, mostly with one daily meal, without any health insurance and with a high illiteracy rate. A series of experiences in the application and validation process are presented and analyzed in order to confirm the application, value and contribution of ICTs in health care in poor regions of Central America.
Vargas-Lombardo
Miguel
M
Technological University of Panama, Miami, FL 33102-5207, USA. miguel.vargas@utp.ac.pa
Jipsion
Armando
A
Vejarano
Rafael
R
Camargo
Ismael
I
Alvarez
Humberto
H
Mora
Elena Villalba
EV
Ruíz
Ernestina Menasalva
EM
D002908:Chronic Disease; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D010176:Panama; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors