The CDE Club App
A free app for members interested in diabetes
The Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology (CDE), AMS's partner in diabetes management, recently released its CDE Club app to assist members with diabetes by providing valuable information and a tool to track progress and even earn rewards. Most of the information and functionality is also available to members that don’t have diabetes, but still have an interest in the topic - so download it today and give it a try.
The most important person in the management of diabetes is the person living with diabetes, as the majority of diabetes care is self-administered. You take your medication, you choose what goes on to your plate and whether (or not) you will exercise today. For you to navigate your journey successfully, 'discover', 'act', 'share' and 'reward' are key ingredients. These aspects are considered in the app.
Discover. "A person with diabetes should know more about their condition than the average general practitioner. This can be overwhelming for the diabetic. The aim of the CDE Club app is to step in and empower you to meet your daily self-management demands," says Hamish van Wyk, Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator from CDE. "While the intention of the app is not to take over the role of diabetes nurse, educator or dietitian, it provides information to support the user's education journey and it acts as a point of reference. It offers answers to questions such as Why do I have diabetes? What is HbA1c? Will I ever need insulin in addition to my pills? How many times a day should I check my blood glucose levels? and so on," says van Wyk.
Act. "Knowledge alone is often not enough to change behaviour. Paired with each article is an achievable action to provide the user with the next step forward. Basically, it provides a way to put what they’ve learned into action,” he says. Based on the questionnaires the user has answered and the articles they read, the app provides suggested actions, which pop up as notifications. For example, the app can remind the user to drink more water or to take lunch to work. Users can also track their workouts and steps, among other things. Users that register on the CDE Diabetes Management Programme can view their online health record with clinical feedback. "This is incredibly important, as ultimately, the suggested actions ideally need to translate into improved clinical outcomes, such as lower blood pressure."
Share. To assist in the maintenance of changed behaviour, the next section of the app encourages users to view and share their successes with friends and supporters. "It is so important that people living with diabetes are encouraged and supported on their journey. Lifestyle changes are hard to implement alone. I believe that if we had a community that encourages and supports healthy living, we would not be experiencing the current global tsunami of type 2 diabetes," says van Wyk.
Reward. The CDE Club app has a list of rewards that are redeemable at no cost. As users read articles, complete actions and achieve clinical targets, they will earn 'badges'. By accumulating badges, users are rewarded with coupons for discounted prices on various brands. "Short-term rewards keep people motivated, which will ultimately lead to lifestyle changes and improved health. The Rewards section of the app aims to give users a sense of achievement and keep them motivated." Best of all, these rewards are free!
Van Wyk says this app is the first of its kind and believes it will make a difference in the lives of people living with diabetes. "Diabetes can be managed and people with diabetes can live rich and fulfilling lives", he concludes.
To download the CDE Club app scan the QR code on the website
http://www.cdediabetes.co.za/home/diabetes/join-cde-club/about-cde-club.htmla> or search "CDE Club" app on either Google Play Store or the iStore.