Thank goodness for the dreamers and champions, for those who devote their
time to find creative solutions and make life easier for others. Dr. Harold Goldberg, a doctor at the University of
Washington, is such a person. He's currently working with game developers, with Nintendo at the lead, to
create a web-based interface
that reaches young people with diabetes where they are: on the phone or playing video games. An admitted gadget geek
and parent of two young adults, Goldberg says the Game Cube interface is a logical next step from his work with adult
diabetes patients through their desktop computers. With his idea, diabetes patients could test their own blood sugar
and blood pressure using digital devices that can be connected to a computer, Game Cube or another Internet-ready
device like a smart phone. The information would automatically be sent to the doctor's office. The interface (still in
very early development stages) could also quiz the patients on other medical issues such as diet and exercise, could
send reminders to teens to check their blood sugar and medical professionals will send feedback to the patients through
the same system. Goldberg thinks the applications for such a device present wide-ranging possibilities for managing
chronic illnesses: "The problem of fixing chronic disease care in this country is a huge one. I think it's a
medical story of the millennium," Goldberg said.
Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!












