Therapeutic Patient Education in the Digital Era: Opportunities and Challenges in Diabetes Care

This article, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health, was authored by Drs Zoltan Pataky and Jorge Cesar Correia, members of the Diabetes Centre. It examines how digital health technologies (DHTs) such as smartphone applications, wearable sensors, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine platforms are reshaping therapeutic patient education (TPE) for individuals living with diabetes.

TPE is a structured, person-centred educational process designed to equip people with chronic conditions with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for effective self-management. In diabetes care, it enables patients to understand the interaction between diet, physical activity, and treatment, while addressing psychological and social factors that influence learning and adherence.

Digital tools have the potential to enhance TPE by providing personalised feedback, real-time data, and continuous access to educational resources. Applications linked to glucose monitoring systems can help patients visualise patterns, receive adaptive guidance, and even model long-term outcomes through digital simulations. Interactive and immersive tools, such as virtual learning modules and online peer communities, can further strengthen engagement and motivation.

Despite these advances, important challenges remain. Concerns about data privacy, digital literacy, system integration, and the emotional impact of continuous digital monitoring must be addressed. The authors argue that the most effective approach is a hybrid model that combines digital innovation with the empathy, trust, and contextual understanding of in-person education, ensuring that technology supports rather than replaces the human dimension of care.

Read the full article HERE.

Citation:

Correia JC, Wac K, Joly C, Assal JP, Joshi S, Fakih El Khoury C, Pataky Z, Therapeutic Patient Education in the Digital Era: Opportunities and Challenges in Diabetes Care, Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcpdig.2025.100297.

News