Someone posed a great question to me the other day and it really got me thinking.  Not really so much about the question, but more about the flood of answers that popped up in my head.

The question was:

“What would make me log on sugar stats versus writing info on a paper log, which I don’t do”

While sometimes I tend to think the advantages of online tracking and sharing obvious, it is a reality that to some people, maybe even many, it isn’t.  There are hundreds of millions of diabetic people out there, many not tech savvy all and some who completely hate technology altogether. 

But even if it is obvious to some, it is a great question with a variety of answers. A few of which stick out for me personally:

• Data Aggregation, Trends and Graphs – You can write entries in a log book, but the log book isn’t going to take that data and create useful statistics, trends and graphs out of it.

• A Variety of Input Methods – Other than a pen or pencil that is.  Inputting sugar readings or medication Via Web, Email, Twitter etc, depending on what you use daily, could turn out to be quite convenient for you.

• Sharing. Virtual Viewing, Anywhere – You can only show a logbook to those you bring it to.  Having it online lets you share it, privately or publicly, to whomever you want to anywhere in the world.  The days of needing the schedule a doctors visit which ends up being 10min long as he briefly glances of your likely incomplete log book.  This brings in a new level of flexibility and collaboration with your health-care providers and physicians.

• Social Support – Similar to the point above, having the social support around your progress is a huge factoring in your diabetic health.  With new online resources come out, sites like TuDiabetes.com where people can congregate, share experiences and get motivation to take control and keep it. Plus we’re in the process of adding even more features

• Conscious Awareness – To me, this is one of the main reasons.  Really, you can’t fully know your status or progress unless you’re tracking various bits of info over time. Having to keep these bits of info in mind, daily, brings it to your attention.  Ever heard of “Out of sight, out of mind?”, well that can apply to your diabetes health too.

    Keeping it in mind helps you “keep things” in mind, you tend to make better decisions (About food, things you do etc). Being conscious about it helps you be aware of the things you do daily that affect your diabetes.  Granted this can also happen with writing down your stats in a log book, though having a online solution might fit better into your daily lifestyle.
  

Those are a few of the prominent thoughts I had. Though when it comes down to it, it is really about finding the tools and solutions that work and fit best FOR YOU.  We could really implement every feature under the sun (Trust me, we won’t) but if it doesn’t fit in your particular lifestyle or is something you don’t like using then none of that matters.

In the end what we’re trying to do is creating new and creative tools that people can use daily to improve and monitor their diabetes that fit in this modern age era which we live. All in all I have to say it is great to see so many advancements on so many fronts happening. It is exciting to see things evolve, for the industry and individuals alike.

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• SugarStats.com Private BETA Lauched!!
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This entry was posted on Monday, October 29th, 2007 at 10:39 am and is filed under Glucose Management, SugarStats Features.
Tags: Diabetes Monitor, Diabetes Tracking, Diabetic Log, Online Diabetes, Sugar Log.
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