Digital Health: Approaches in Nutrition and Dietetics

Abstract

It is reported that digital health covers eHealth, telemedicine, telemonitoring and digital therapeutic applications. The terms digital health, telehealth, and eHealth are interchangeable used and are defined as the provision of healthcare services supported by telecommunications or digital technology to improve or support healthcare services. eHealth can be part of each step of the healthcare process (such as, prevention, diagnosis, decision-making, treatment/intervention and follow-up). Telemedicine represents medical services provided remotely to subjects/patients by heath care professionals using telecommunications platforms. Healthcare activities covers the processes, such as patient evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Ethical and legal dimensions of this applications should be considered carefully. Telemonitoring is the use of digital technology to frequently or continuously monitor subjects/patients’ vital signs or symptoms. Digital therapy should also be added in the health and therapeutic guidelines and should contain algorithms of best practices. Digital health is transforming the delivery of health care around the world to meet the growing challenges presented by ageing populations with multiple chronic conditions. Especially during COVID-19 pandemic, problems are occurred in reaching health services and in giving health care. Digital health technologies can support the delivery of personalized nutrition care by using personal data and technology-supported delivery techniques. The digital change of traditional dietetic services is occurring worldwide, supporting responsive and high-quality nutrition care. It is a necessity that dietitians stay abreast of these technological developments and be the leaders of the changes, not simply subject to it. By doing so, dietitians now, as well as in the future, will maximise their impact and continue to their success in evidence-based nutrition practice.