Ethical evaluation model for technologies. the role of medical technology in the development of autonomy in diabetes patient

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2013 Jul-Sep;117(3):722-30.

Abstract

Romanian Government Decision (GD) No. 8/2012 amending and supplementing GD No. 144/2010 regarding the function and organization structures of the Ministry of Health defines health technology assessment (HTA) as "a systematic and multidisciplinary analysis of the existing and new medical technologies, through which medical, economic, social, ethical and organizational information are synthesized so that medical technologies to be used in a transparent and unbiased manner". We propose an ethical assessment model of technologies used in the care of diabetic patients. The nature of this research was exploratory, giving the novelty of this approach to the clinical and social context of Romania.

Material and methods: The assessment of health technologies used in the care of diabetic patients was based on the following research question: What is the role of health technology in developing autonomy and responsibility in patients suffering from chronic diseases? Individual interviews and focus groups were held from June, 2011 to November, 2012 in Iasi. The criterion for selecting the participants was belonging to the target groups: family doctors or diabetes specialist, patients with type 1 (TID) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), caregivers and other professionals involved in diabetes patient care.

Keywords: The diabetic patient benefits from a specific treatment and has the privilege of self-administering it, his life expectancy and quality of life depending upon the compliance and responsibility he demonstrates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / ethics
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / methods
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Equipment and Supplies
  • Focus Groups*
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Romania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical / ethics
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical / methods
  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical / organization & administration

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin