INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL SIMULATORS IN DIABETES CARE

Since the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial demonstrated the su bstantial benefits of tight glycaemic control there has been renewed i nterest in the application of information technology (IT) based techni ques for improving the day-to-day care of patients with diabetes melli tus. Computer-based educational approaches have a great deal of potent ial for patient use, and may offer a means of training more health-car e professionals to deliver such improved care. In this article the pot ential role of IT in diabetes education is reviewed, focusing in parti cular on the application of compartmental models in both computer-base d interactive simulators and educational video games. Close attention is devoted to practical applications-available today-for use by patien ts, their relatives, students and health-care professionals. The novel features and potential benefits of such methodologies are highlighted and some of the limitations of currently available software are discu ssed. The need for improved graphical user interfaces, and for further efforts to evaluate such programs and demonstrate an educational bene fit from their use are identified as hurdles to their more widespread application. The review concludes with a look to the future and the ty pe of modelling features which should be provided in the next generati on of interactive diabetes simulators and educational video games.