Diabetes is a highly prevalent condition that has affected more than 415 million people across the globe. In 2015, it also accounted for more than 5 million deaths. The signs of diabetes impact micro and macrovascular systems and hence the disease is linked with substantial mortality, morbidity and low quality of life.
- The estimated medical costs annually of type 1 and type 2 diabetes will be close to 622 billion USD by 2030 in the United States of America.
- Around 8.5 per cent of the population that is close to 56.3 million people live with diabetes across Europe. As per the forecast, by 2035, it may rise further to 68.9 million.
- More than 75 per cent of patients suffering from diabetes reside in countries with low and middle income as most of them receive treatment post making payments out of their pockets.
- As per studies, the cost towards the treatment of diabetes is 7 USD per visit for outpatients and 290 USD every year for inpatients.
- The laboratory cost per patient is 25 USD and 177 USD for medication costs per year.
Diabetes in low- and middle-income nations has risen rapidly when compared to high-income nations. The highest rise was seen particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean areas. The management of diabetes in the long term is indeed a big challenge globally. there are inequalities in diabetes management and it can be addressed by implementing telemedicine-based involvements.
Telemedicine is a practice through which information technology and telecommunication are incorporated to offer medical healthcare to distant patients. Digital health helps stakeholders to cope with the challenges related to many health systems.
The challenges are lack of supply of commodities, limited access to data or information, poor treatment of patients and no proper follow-ups. With the help of telemedicine, you can offer protocol checklists, alerts and notifications as per protocols, and also enhance communication between patients and healthcare providers. Telemedicine also helps in routine medical care collection of data by enhancing the utilization of health management information systems and electronic medical records.