Expert Consensus on Telemedicine Management of Diabetes (2020 Edition)

• Published in: International journal of endocrinology Vol. 2021; pp. 6643491 - 12
• Main Author: Zhang, Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt Hindawi 2021; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Care and treatment; China; Chronic diseases; Chronic illnesses; Clinical trials; Cognitive ability; Compliance; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Diabetes; Diabetes therapy; Dietitians; Endocrinology; Epidemics; Evidence-based medicine; Glucose; Insurance policies; Internet; Medical diagnosis; Mental disorders; Patient compliance; Patient education; Review; Telemedicine; Type 2 diabetes; China
• ISSN: 1687-8337; 1687-8345
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/6643491

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is very suitable for telemedicine management. Owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, telemedicine management of diabetes is particularly important. This consensus proposes 38 recommendations for key issues in telemedicine management of diabetes and provides preliminary specifications for diabetes management. It is recommended to use the most current information and communication technologies for telemanagement of patients’ diet, exercise, behavior, and drug therapy. A strategy for drug therapy that is more suitable for telemedicine management of diabetes than previous ones is established. During online follow-up visits, major changes of antihyperglycemic agents must be avoided, and treatment modification should be done in a stepwise manner. Greater attention should be paid to the occurrence and prevention of hypoglycemia, in addition to educating patients about the side effects of the drugs used and encouraging them to actively report adverse drug reactions. Conditions are clarified under which online follow-up visits must be terminated and in-person visits or emergency visits must be initiated. Telemedicine can improve the management level and control rate of diabetes. The present consensus for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can reduce the potential risks of telemedicine management, yield great benefits to patients, and reduce chronic complications and comorbidities.