EXPECTATION AND FEASIBILITY OF A COMPUTER AIDED EDUCATION IN DIABETES IN AN URBAN AREA IN MALAYSIA: VIEWS FROM PATIENTS, HEALTHCARE STAFF AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS
J. Mohamad Zain1, A. Fauzi2
1 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (MALAYSIA)
2 International Islamic University Malaysia (MALAYSIA)
Diabetes Mellitus is a serious concern in Malaysia, both the clinical costs in terms of mortality and morbidity as well as the socioeconomic burden to the society. Our diabetic patients present late with numerous complications and the lack of proper education largely contributes to the current situation. Computer aided education will help but requires identification of the target population. This approach has been around for a while but the uptake locally is very scant. As a nation, the government is embarking on a very ambitious program on IT and computer ownership as well as literacy. Despite the widespread nationwide program to increase computer access and IT a survey is required to assess feasibility of such a program and staff readiness. We found that such a package should be hospital based, patient friendly and interactive. Healthcare staffs and administrators responses were also encouraging and support the use of computer aided education.