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Computer-aided system for diabetes care in Berlin, G.D.R.
H Thoelke1, K Meusel, K P Ratzmann
1Institute of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Berlin, G.D.R.
Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
|July 1, 1990
Summary
A computer system aids diabetes care and research by managing a large patient database. This system streamlines routine tasks and enables epidemiological studies for better diabetes management.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Epidemiology
- Diabetology
Background:
- A computer-aided care system has been operational since 1974 at the Centre of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders in Berlin.
- The system aims to reduce routine tasks for healthcare professionals and facilitate epidemiological research.
- It utilizes a comprehensive data bank (DB) storing information on approximately 55,000 diabetic patients, serving as a diabetes register for Berlin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of a computer-aided out-patient care system for type II diabetics.
- To support epidemiological research on an unselected diabetes population within a defined urban area.
- To enable standardized evaluation of treatment strategies using uniform metabolic criteria.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a computer-aided care system since 1974, centered around a data bank (DB) of diabetic patients.
- Utilization of standardized diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for diabetes mellitus within the care system.
- Employing a system architecture with a main computer and personal computers for data management and patient recall.
- Data analysis based on blood glucose and urinary glucose levels for treatment strategy evaluation.
Main Results:
- The data bank (DB) currently holds records for approximately 55,000 patients, functioning as a diabetes register.
- The system facilitates representative epidemiological analyses, including prevalence, incidence, and duration of diabetes, as well as treatment modalities.
- Computer-aided recall for type II diabetics on diet or oral medication is supported.
- Over 14 years of experience, the system has demonstrated efficiency in managing type II diabetes care in a large urban population.
Conclusions:
- The computer-aided care system effectively relieves physicians and medical staff from routine tasks.
- The system enables robust epidemiological research on a large, unselected diabetes population.
- The computer-aided out-patient care for type II diabetics has proven efficient in a big-city setting over 14 years.