Telemedicine could help diabetes patients

Due to the large amount of planning that people suffering from type 2 diabetes need to do to ensure that they have a good diet and continue to consume healthy foods, it is not surprising that some find it difficult to maintain healthy eating patterns and also keep in touch with their doctors for advice and recommendations.
However, new research published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior has revealed that the practice of telemedicine, where patients can communicate directly with their doctor electronically, could be a real solution to many of these problems.
The study, by scientists at the State University of New York in Syracuse, showed that as much as 10 percent of adults with diabetes see their financial position as a problem when it comes to maintaining a nutritious diet . When the patients received a round of counselling using telemedicine that offered guidance on cheaper ways to keep to dietary recommendations, the majority of participants were able to improve their eating habits .
Ruth Weinstock, who led the research, said “This study demonstrated that among participants classified as both food secure and mildly insecure, individuals were usually able to follow the dietitian’s advice.”
She added “This finding suggests that telemedical nutrition support services have the potential to be an important adjunct for primary care providers whose patients have poor access to the services of dietitians.”