Using tablet computers to teach newly-diagnosed diabetes patients about medication administration and diabetes self-care.

Managing diabetes is a full-time job for patients. They must adhere to medication regimens, monitor glucose levels, adopt new diets and make smart life-style decisions to avoid disease complications and maintain a good quality of life. Tablet computers, through their multimedia capabilities, interactive features, and touch screen functionality can enhance learning across patient populations. Tablet computers can also act as an APRN extender for patient education. Tablets offer better consistency and quality control of the educational message while also overcoming literacy and language barriers. Tablet computers can also fill downtime during the office visit enabling patients to be productive while they wait for the results of their bloodwork. With this grant, UConn Health would purchase 4 Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet computers, 1 wireless printer, and 1 ReadyDock UV RD5 machine for use in the hospital's outpatient diabetes education program. The tablet computers would enhance patient education on medication administration, glucose monitoring, equipment selection, diet, and diabetes self-care. The ReadyDock UV machine would provide on-site disinfection between patient users, and would also enable charging and secure storage of the tablets. The wireless printer would enable patients to print handouts to bring home with them for further review.