Introduction

The high possibility to have another strike of pandemic in the near future, along with all it consequent losses, put a heavy cost on the healthcare system. Unfortunately, the traditional on-site healthcare services have proven ineffectiveness, and the world has witnessed how the health system in some of first world countries, was not coping during the last pandemic.

Discussion

On a published study in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, around 200 diabetic patients, who had the history of loss of follow-up and subsequently uncontrolled blood glucose level; the following reasons were behind missing the follow up appointments in the endocrinology clinic: (a) patients think that the blood glucose is already in control (from the data in previous laboratory report) (110 cases, 55%), (b) loss of appointment card (40 cases, 20%), (c) busy on the appointment date (20 cases, 10%), (d) the appointment date is the holiday vacation period (10 cases, 5%), (e) they try to have other alternative treatment(s) (10 cases, 5%), and (f) fear of side effects of prolonged usage of antidiabetic drugs (10 cases, 5%) [2].

This study for example, shows clearly that remote patient monitoring for diabetes practices, would not only play a major role in infection control during pandemics, and ease financial burden to the patients, but also become a key factor in patient education, and raising awareness, considering the availability of access to the treating physician.

Moreover, on a study in the UK of a meta-analysis randomized controlled trials  of telehealth interventions on glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes; found that current evidence suggests that telehealth is effective in controlling HbA1c levels in people living with type 2 diabetes [3].

On an American review article, written by the medical director of the wound care center at university hospital; found that researchers have recorded between 3 to 10 fold decreases in foot re-ulceration, when patients used remote patient monitoring devices for temperature measuring. It shows that temperature monitoring is a simple mechanism by which to detect early signs of tissue abnormality in order to avoid Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) formation [4].

Another study about "Cost effectiveness of telemedicine for the delivery of outpatient pulmonary care to a rural population", linked that cost effectiveness of telemedicine to three fundamental factors: cost sharing, i.e., fulfilling patient volume and sharing of the infrastructure of telemedicine among users; the telemedicine effectiveness in terms of patient utility and excellent clinical consultations; and indirect cost savings due by decreasing cost of patients' lost productivity. However, the study concluded that telemedicine is more cost effective ($335 per patient/year) in comparison with routine care ($585 per patient/year), as well as in on-site care ($1166 per patient/year) [5].

Conclusion

The rewarding and benefits of remote patient monitoring for diabetes practices, on the long term, are outweighing the establishing cost; as it would prevent tremendous loss in both economic and health aspects, precisely during pandemics.

Disclosure

Conflicts of interest: in compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all author declare the following: Payment/services info: All author have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All author have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous years with any organization that might have an interest in the submitted work.