Unit:
Faculty of MedicineLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Dissertation committee:
Δημητριάδης Γεώργιος, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Συρίγος Κωνσταντίνος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Πέππα Μελπομένη, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ψυρρή Διαμάντω, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μιχόπουλος Ιωάννης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Κόλλιας Αναστάσιος, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Μπουτάτη Ελένη, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Ο ρόλος της σύγχρονης τεχνολογίας στην τροποποίηση της συμπεριφοράς: ένα νέο μοντέλο αγωγής και προαγωγής υγείας σε ασθενείς με παχυσαρκία και σακχαρώδη διαβήτη
Translated title:
The role of modern technology in behavior modification: a new model of education and health promotion in patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus
Summary:
Introduction: The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is rising rapidly, with the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that by 2030, one billion people will be obese and around 650 million will be diabetic. The numbers are also increasing in our country, and these chronic diseases have significant economic consequences due to their multifactorial nature. Both direct and indirect management costs are impacted. Therefore, it becomes necessary to provide free access to programs related to the management of these chronic diseases to support the patients in the long term. This approach ensures high success rates by encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Integrating the expertise of health education and promotion professionals with the power of the Internet can significantly improve chronic patient education under the guidance of medical teams. This initiative can be promoted through a smart device, offering personalized learning and more effective behavioral change than traditional health promotion interventions.
Aim: The aim of this research is to create a novel model of health education and promotion that employs Internet technology, reflecting the latest trends. The user-friendly design ensures that even individuals with limited technology experience can use it. The interaction between the user and the application is customized to suit the patient's educational level, initial knowledge, and support requirements.
Method: The study involved 72 patients with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes and was conducted at the Second Propaedeutic Clinic, Research Unit, and Diabetes Center of the University of Athens. It was a randomized, prospective observational study that used self-administered questionnaires to assess anxiety levels, depression, knowledge, and beliefs. The intervention group received a personalized health education and promotion program, including educational material on obesity and type 2 diabetes, while the control group received a traditional health education model that involved printed materials and lectures. The analysis of the results showed that the intervention group had a positive outcome compared to the control group. Participants in the intervention group significantly improved their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs after using the program as a learning tool. In addition, the program helped reduce anxiety caused by chronic illness. This led to a significant improvement in the quality of life, including physical and mental health, as well as social relationships.
Conclusion: In conclusion, implementing a continuous remote education program through an innovative online health education platform can have a positive impact on society. This program provides comprehensive knowledge to the entire population, which can be accessed anywhere and anytime using the internet and a smart device. The value of this intervention lies in the fact that education, healthcare, and health promotion professionals should incorporate modern tools into their existing programs. By designing new interventions using technology, online health promotion programs have the potential to play a significant role in addressing a wide range of chronic diseases.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Health promotion and education, Obesity, Diabetes 2, Internet, Behavior modification
Number of references:
159
File:
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Chrysi_Maria_PhD.pdf
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File access is restricted only to the intranet of UoA.
