Australian researchers are working with Ericsson's (Nasdaq: ERIC) IPTV platform technology on a proof of concept that uses IPTV to deliver tailored educational video content to people with diabetes.
The SeeCare IPTV platform is testing the idea of allowing using televisions and IP video to communicate between people with diabetes and their health care providers, a story in Virtual Medical Centre explained.
"The system helps people in need to coordinate support and care for themselves and for others," SeeCare director Gil Tidhar told the publication, noting that the system "enables the sharing of responsibility, support and decision-making with different professionals as well as with family and friends."
Tidhar noted that the system enhances health education throughout the Victoria region.
IPTV is a good medium for education material on a disease like diabetes because it is more prevalent among older citizens and "often older people are more comfortable using familiar technology, such as TV," said Ken Clarke, senior researcher from the Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society at the University of Melbourne. "As we enter the networked society, we expect to see virtually every device connected. So aside from smartphones, pcs and tablets, we will interact with many more devices, such as televisions for information, education and healthcare."
Since an estimated 280 Australians develop diabetes every day, the delivery of timely and relevant information is essential, added SeeCare's Tidhar.
"An appropriate level of health literacy is required to be actively involved in improving health and well-being (and) the SeaCare IPTV system demonstrates how diabetes educators can use SeeCare to deliver personalized education videos conveniently to people in need using their home television," he concluded.
For more:
- Virtual Medical Centre carried this story
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