Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and hope that you are able to help me out with your comments and feedback. I am a university student looking at technology in health. I have chosen to look specifically at diabetic patients who experience foot ulcers and are verging towards the loss of a limb. The technology I have selected comes from Poland and provides a way of lessening the effects of foot ulcers, ultimately decreasing the risk of lower limb amputation. Known as TeleDiaFoS, the technology provides a pathway of remote communication between the patient and the various physicians via telemonitoring. By taking photos of the ulcerated site and sending them directly to the physician for assessment, the patient has the freedom of staying in the comfort of their home and only having to visit the doctor when necessary. The physicians are able to monitor the progress of the ulcer more closely, therefore lessening the chance of amputation.

I would like to know if anyone out there thinks that this is a worth while technology to introduce into NZ and whether you think that people would benefit from this type of technology. It would even be great if you thought there is better technology available!!

Thankyou for your time

I would like to point out that to the best of my knowledge the members of this Forum are responsible Diabetics who have taken their condition seriously and chosen to be in control rather than let the condition CONTROL THEM.

I wouldn't think that a photo could tell much of the story of an ulcer and that anyone who had one AND Diabetes should be visiting the DR or having a nurse visit to get it checked properly and in depth...

Hmm, I wonder now: Does anyone here have problems with their feet? See, ive been warned for years about things like ulcers but have never needed to worry. How do you know when you need to?

KC, you are unlikely to get ulcers and not know unless you have peripheral neuropathy, your Dr or Podiatrist should be able to check if you do. Good foot health is essential wash and dry well, keep an eye on your skin and your shoes. If you are well controlled you are unlikely to have isues. I had a patient once who didn't realise there was a small toy in his shoe and that caused major issues. He did have quite bad neuropathy though.

I do think photo's can help record changes in ulcers but there are so many more factors, smell depth tissue involvement.