Digital Strategies for Health Communication (HCOM512)

Rajaa Nahra, MD

Endocrinology-Lowell General Hospital

MS candidate-CTSI-Tufts University, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences

Improving diabetes care through digital strategies

Are we there yet? Can we get there?How do we get there?

Why do should we care? Total prevalence of diabetes

Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.

Prediabetes: 79 million people*New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people

aged 20 years and older in 2010. Complications:

Heart disease and strokeHigh blood pressureBlindnessKidney diseaseAmputationNervous system disease (neuropathy)

Cost of Diabetes (2013 data)$245 billion: Total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in

2012$176 billion for direct medical costs$69 billion in reduced productivity

National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011

El-Gayar et al. Int J Med Inform. 2013 Aug;82(8):637-52

El-Gayar et al. Int J Med Inform. 2013 Aug;82(8):637-52

El-Gayar et al. Int J Med Inform. 2013 Aug;82(8):637-52

El-Gayar et al. Int J Med Inform. 2013 Aug;82(8):637-52

The world’s preeminent diabetes research & clinical care organization

SWOT Analysis

Strengths• Well organized and easy to navigate• Visually appealing• Information is readily available in numerous formats • Chart Cart app

Weaknesses• Cannot search for RFPs online

Opportunities• Improve resources for potential grantees• Organization profiles

Threats• Potential grantees may seek funding elsewhere because CF does not have an online application system

Strengths•State-of –the art•Interactive•Rich social media presence•Multilingual•Easy to search and navigate•Well maintained and updated•Tremendous outreach to consumers and providers•Promotes and disseminates latest research and developments in diabetes •Twitter/FB/YT incorporate recommendation, useful info and advice

Weaknesses•No mobile website•Childhood diabetes page lacks fun, color and children-oriented themes and design

Opportunities•Offer multilingual discussion boards•Introduce more color•Global outreach•Improve childhood diabetes page

Threats

Diabetes Specialty Clinic:Lead by the Nurse Certified Diabetes Educator, and Registered Dietician Certified Diabetes Educator, the Clinic offers in-depth assessments and individualized recommendations to the primary care provider. Clients may see any or all of these practitioners who have strong backgrounds in the management of Diabetes. Physician referral, pre-registration and third party approval are required.

Diabetes Group Classes:These classes are lead by a Certified Diabetes Educator who provides instruction in the many aspects of diabetes. The seven-week series covers the self-management of diabetes. A referral by a physician and pre-registration are required.

Gestational Diabetes Program:Specialized nutrition services and glucose monitoring education for pregnant women. One-on-one visits with Certified Diabetes Educator Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian are individually scheduled to meet client's needs.  The client is allowed up to three visits, depending on assessed needs. A referral by a physician and pre-registration are required.

Holistic Health Service:An holistic approach to health and wellness can be helpful to people with diabetes. A Reiki class is available to ease stress, enhance body systems and create a sense of well being.  Call 978.304.8400 for more information about Reiki and to register.Social Services Support:Individual counseling and support by a Licensed Social Worker is available.

Diabetes Program:Outline Diabetes OverviewHypoglycemia & how to avoid itHyperglycemiaMedicationSelf-blood glucose monitoring & ketone testingNutrition GuideExercise can helpSelf-care priorities: foot care, skin care, eye care, dental careStress managementCommunity resources 

SWOT Analysis

Strengths• Well organized and easy to navigate• Visually appealing• Information is readily available in numerous formats • Chart Cart app

Weaknesses• Cannot search for RFPs online

Opportunities• Improve resources for potential grantees• Organization profiles

Threats• Potential grantees may seek funding elsewhere because CF does not have an online application system

Strengths•Dedicated web page•Link to ADA•Social/Holistic services

Weaknesses•Not interactive•No pictures•Social media presence for hospital in general not diabetes care center•Limited links•Font color too faint•Not consumer centered

Opportunities•Mission and vision not stated•Make it more interactive and lively•Add pictures•Change text color•Emphasize prevention, nutrition and lifestyle•Add personas•Target community

Threats•Funding and competing services•Lack of organization support•Lack of resources•Competition

SWOT Analysis

Strengths• Well organized and easy to navigate• Visually appealing• Information is readily available in numerous formats • Chart Cart app

Weaknesses• Cannot search for RFPs online

Opportunities• Improve resources for potential grantees• Organization profiles

Threats• Potential grantees may seek funding elsewhere because CF does not have an online application system

Strengths•Easy to search and navigate•Attractive •Advanced•Well maintained and updated•Multidisciplinary approach•You tube education in Tamil

Weaknesses•Does not tailor to majority of population•Some pictures are not culturally appropriate•Not very realistic •English and not Tamil on Website•Universal Web access

Opportunities•Mission and vision not stated•Website should have info in Tamil•Tailor to the population on the website•Change FB cover photo•Twitter background too crowded•Highlight community organizations

Threats•Funding•Competition•Resources