In an aim to achieve better results, patients with type 2 diabetes in Denmark have been enabled to access their own diabetes data through the Danish eHealth portal 'Sundhed.dk'.

Patients can access this data on the diabetes records that the doctors use to monitor their blood glucose levels. Patients could already access their general health summary, but with 'My Diabetes data', this is the first time they can view such part of their health records.

The purpose of this service is to ensure that patients are well prepared and have prior knowledge of their blood glucose levels and of the risk factors. As a result of this, they will better engage with their doctor about changing their lifestyle, obtaining the best treatment and avoiding complications. Prior patient knowledge also allows patients and doctors to discuss on lifestyle adaptations and treatment objectives rather than on the latest tests. Overall, patients can play a more important role in their own treatment and work towards the established objectives between two consultations.

The diabetes records were developed by the Danish Quality Unit of General Practice (DAK-E) and they make use of data from medical systems. Berit Lassen, practising physician and consultant for DAK-E said: "An early and sustained effort aimed at minimising risk factors for patient diabetes repercussions is essential for the longevity and the quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes. Each patient will have access to reports providing an overview of their own data. The graphs and charts will show the patient's risk factors for diabetes complications and hence where the priorities are."

In order to view their diabetes records, patients will need to login on Sundhed.dk with their digital signature or NemID, the new digital signature which gives Danes a single access to public and private digital self-service solutions. The service supports cooperation between the patients and their GPs about individual goals for the coming year of treatment. Ideal values are not identical for all patients. The optimal regulation of blood glucose and cholesterol values depends on many factors that both the doctors and the patients may find difficult to have an overview of. Based on the information found in the medical records of the patients and on clinical guidelines, an algorithm provides ideal values for each patient. The tool stores blood test results from previous and current checks and displays the optimal values.

End of August 2010, about 14 % of the diabetes records kept by Danish General Practitioners (GPs) had already been logged in the common database. More doctors are expected to endorse the database and the solution will thus be of benefit to a large part of the approx. 240 000 Danes with diabetes.

'My diabetes data' is entirely consistent with Sundhed.dk's mission to make the patients active players of their health and to eventually allow them to store data in their summary in different contexts.  

 

Further information: 

• Original news article - Sundhed.dk (in Danish)
• Related ePractice news article - DK: NemID paves the way for increased digitisation
• Related ePractice news article - DK: Single access to personal health records via Sundhed.dk