2023-11-13 14:13:34
New technologies such as mobile applications or medical devices occupy an ever more important place in the lives of people with diabetes: management of treatment, prevention of complications or monitoring of the care pathway. While these technologies bring daily benefits, they also leave out certain people who struggle to use them. For the French Federation of Diabetics, innovation must be accessible to all those who really need it.
Insulin pumps, smartphone applications to monitor blood sugar levels, digital interfaces to make medical appointments more easily, etc. You have undoubtedly noticed: these new technologies are taking up more and more space in your daily life with diabetes. Their development has accelerated in recent years, whether for treatment management, prevention or care pathways. Unfortunately, some people fail to use them, and what should have been a benefit for everyone in the management of their pathology becomes a factor in unequal access to care. Particular attention must therefore be paid to accessibility in terms of cost and use in particular, to be sure that the benefit is for the greatest number, and without increasing social inequalities in health.
Expectations regarding new technologies, between hopes and apprehensions
For people with diabetes, most of these technologies improve daily life by helping them better manage their disease. For example, if you use an insulin pump, you may have noticed a reduction in your mental workload.
Of course, these technologies are not without risks and each new device must be the subject of a detailed analysis to verify its accessibility, its contributions in real situations and the possible inconveniences which may result from its use. In addition, the emotions and feelings of patients must also be taken into account. Confidence in progress can give some people hope that they will one day be able to cure diabetes, or at least be able to live as if the disease did not exist.
But as in all areas of our lives, new medical technologies can also cause fears, linked to the ongoing transformations in the world of health. Thus, one of the main fears of patients is the risk of dehumanization of care, where all social interactions would be replaced by machines, screens or algorithms. This apprehension is particularly present among people who are already in a situation of isolation and for whom an act of care carried out by a professional or a loved one is synonymous with social connection.
For technology at the service of humans
Fortunately, technologies are not all equal and do not all move in the same direction of an increasingly mechanized and dehumanized world. Certain innovations are well thought out and when used appropriately, they allow us to strengthen social bonds and move towards a more humane care system. This was highlighted by a recent study on a remote monitoring device used to measure blood sugar levels. Thanks to an algorithm, the patient receives personalized recommendations for dosing their insulin and monitoring is carried out remotely by a healthcare team. This system allowed caregivers and patients to discuss less about blood sugar control and more about the emotions and daily experiences of the person with diabetes, the impact on loved ones, etc.
To find out more about this study, read the Diabète LAB article:
Telemedicine: when remote monitoring is likely to transform the healthcare relationship
Artificial intelligence promises to revolutionize the medical field and telemedicine seems to be establishing itself at the political level as a response to the problem of medical deserts. In this context, the French Diabetics Federation calls for technological and organizational advances that promote and promote more humane medicine. Innovation must make possible and promote social connections, improve the daily lives of people with chronic illnesses and their loved ones and help them in their journey with the illness.
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