Table 2

Summary of the potential for digital solutions to address identified diabetes care gaps

Identified gaps in diabetes careThe potential role of digital solutions in addressing diabetes care gaps
Practitioner training
  • Asynchronous training, accessible per practitioner availability

  • Easy access to information and guidance on diabetes care, including complication screening and management, medication and treatment options

  • Training and mentorship for potential CHW/CHV involvement in diabetes care

Health information systems and data
  • Simplified and streamlined data entry

  • Information centralisation, improving referral and reducing patients ‘lost to follow-up’

  • Easier access to time-critical data to inform clinical decision-making, procurement and budgeting

  • Reduce prescription delays for patients

Primary healthcare (PHC) service delivery
  • Enhance capacity to screen and undertake diagnosis at PHC level

  • Address delays and waiting times due to data issues

Infrastructure, equipment and medication
  • Offline options to address infrastructure constraints in power, internet and technical support availability

  • Guide patients and family members regarding sites with available medication

  • Improve prescription management

Community awareness and self-management knowledge
  • Information on available services

  • Information and advice to guide self-management, particularly for complications and lifestyle modification

  • Enhance communication with practitioners between appointments

  • CHV, Community Health Volunteer; CHW, community health worker.