Center for Connected Health's study: parents most concerned aboutaccess to their child's healthcare provider

According to a recent study conducted by the Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, new data revealed that parents of children with diabetes were receptive to using novel health technology - such as a mobile phone that could collect and transmit the child's blood sugar readings to a doctor - to help manage their child's diabetes. This study was published in the November issue of the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (Volume 3, Issue 6, November 2009).

Over two-thirds (69.3%) of the parents of children with Type 1 diabetes (n=125) and Type 2 diabetes (n=77) completing an online survey had a 'very positive' response to the proposed mobile phone glucometer (blood sugar or glucose monitor) prototype. More than half of parents expressed interest in signing up for the service.

Parental concerns and the willingness to adopt mobile-phone-based technology to help monitor and communicate their children's diabetes are likely tied to the unmet need of parents, including provider access, limited available information and support, and the complex management of children with diabetes. Nearly 30% of parents (27.7%) reported they would 'definitely sign up' for the prototype mobile phone glucometer service, and another 27.7% reported they would 'probably sign up.'