EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN DIABETIC PATIENTS
Keywords:
Primary Health Care, Chronic Disease, Technological Innovation, Educational TechnologyAbstract
The chapter entitled “Educational Technologies in the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetic Patients” presents a narrative review that synthesized evidence from articles retrieved from the SciELO, PubMed, and LILACS databases, as well as official documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and guidelines from the Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD), published between 2007 and 2023. The selection prioritized three interconnected thematic axes: primary health care (PHC) and comprehensive care for diabetic patients; cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and risk stratification methods; and the use of educational and digital technologies to support self-care and patient empowerment. Within PHC, DM represents a growing epidemiological challenge, with care pathways within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) emphasizing early diagnosis, glycemic monitoring, and health education through the Family Health Strategy. Quality indicators show advances in access to supplies; however, gaps in treatment adherence persist, highlighting the need for innovative interventions. DM increases cardiovascular risk by up to fourfold. Strict therapeutic targets guide pharmacological treatment combined with secondary prevention strategies, such as lifestyle modifications. Educational technologies emerge as validated tools to promote behavioral change, telemonitoring, and patient empowerment, aligned with the principles of the SUS. Strategies aimed at strengthening care for diabetic patients should be further researched and developed in order to minimize the increasing prevalence of the disease, its complications, the loss of patients’ quality of life, and financial costs to the public health system.
