Improving Healthy Aging by Monitoring Patients' Lifestyle through a Wearable Device: Results of a Feasibility Study.

Population aging is related to a huge growth in healthcare and welfare costs. Therefore, wearable devices could be strategic for minimizing years of disability in old age and monitoring patients' lifestyles and health. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of using smart devices to monitor patients' physical activity in a primary care setting. To assess the acceptance of this novel technology from the point of view of both patients and healthcare professionals, two questionnaires (one paper-based and one ex-novo developed) were administered to 11 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a non-compliant behavior towards the therapeutic indications of their general practitioner (GP). Seven participants would continue to use a wearable activity tracker to monitor their health. We observed that 75% of patients reported a device's characteristics satisfaction level of over 80% of the total score assigned to this dimension. No differences were observed in the questionnaire's scores between the two professionals categories (GPs and nurses). Three dimensions (equipment characteristics, subjective norm, perceived risks, perceived ease-of-use and facilitating conditions) correlated > 0.5 with the device's acceptability level. Some weak correlations were observed between healthcare professionals' perception and patients' parameters, particularly between the dimensions of collaboration and web interface ease-of-use and patients' median number of steps and hours of sleep. In conclusion, despite the limited number of subjects involved, a good acceptance level towards these non-medical devices was observed, according to both patients' and healthcare professionals' impressions.

The Italian way to Continuing Education in Medicine.

BACKGROUND: Continuing education is a right and a duty for all professionals working in the healthcare system, and the Ministry of Health, has recently developed and introduced an experimental program for Continuing Education in Medicine (ECM) throughout Italy. METHODS: The guiding principles and values of ECM are to assure the quality of educational events and to ensure that professionals can choose from among several opportunities for gaining credits. Although promoted by regional healthcare authorities, the educational program must be homogeneous throughout the national territory. RESULTS: Over the last few months, the National Commission for ECM has defined the role and responsibilities of different organisms and authorities involved in the ECM program. Each professional is expected to gain a total score of at least 150 credits over a 5-year timespan. Moreover, the Commission has established criteria for the accreditation of educational initiatives, the verification of their quality, and the evaluation of the educational benefit participants have from them. CONCLUSIONS: The ECM program in Italy is here to stay. It provides professionals with the opportunity to improve the quality of their knowledge, competence, and skills. Medical associations can now reevaluate their role and commitment to improving the quality of healthcare by providing all professionals with a better education and qualifications.