Aims and objectives

Diabetes, which is characterised by raised blood glucose levels (BGLs) in an individual, affects an estimated 246 million people, rising to 276 million in the next four years, making it one of the major chronic conditions prevailing today. In the UK, an estimated 7% of the total NHS budget is spent on treatment. In Scotland, the number of people diagnosed with the condition rose from 120,000 in 2003 to its present level of 173,000. By 2011, another 40-50,000 people in Scotland will have been diagnosed with the condition.

Expert short-term management through good glucose control, is essential to delay or even prevent serious complications such as blindness, amputations, heart disease and kidney failure developing in the long term, due to consistently high BGLs. Potentially life-threatening short-term complications can also occur due to both very low BGLs (hypoglycaemia), and very high BGLs (ketoacidosis). Further information about diabetes, the different types, and advice on prevention and good healthcare, may be found on the website of Diabetes UK, which is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition.

Technology now plays an increasingly vital role in patient management. Electronic BGL meters, insulin delivery systems including “pens” and insulin pumps, retinal screening procedures involving advanced imaging technologies, and software advice packages, have revolutionised day-to-day management and improved the prognosis for many people with diabetes.

Diabetes technology is showcased in this evening symposium, which is organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Europe’s largest society for professional engineers. The general aim of the Symposium is to highlight the impact which advanced engineering and technology has had, and is continuing to have, in improving the short and long-term therapy and prognosis for millions of people with diabetes.

The Symposium is open to the public, and also engineering, clinical/healthcare and academic professionals. It should be of particular interest to many individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and the mix of individuals with diabetes, healthcare professionals, medical device providers and engineers, will afford a unique platform to heighten public awareness of the vital role of engineering and technology in modern diabetes healthcare. It will also act as a catalyst for stimulating discussions and professional networking.

The Symposium will consist of a number of invited keynote presentations on current devices and technologies and future developments/trends. However, the Symposium will also accommodate a number of poster presentations on research activities in this area, historical and clinical perspectives, viewpoints from healthcare teams and individuals with the condition, technical demonstrations, and an exhibition of devices and advanced technologies.
The specific objectives of the Symposium are:

• To briefly review the medical condition of diabetes (mellitus), the different types, and the serious short and long-term complications which can occur through poor management.
• To investigate the significant engineering and technological challenges which good diabetes management has created.
• To review the major technologies and associated products which have been responsible for improving diabetes therapy, including electronic BGL meters, insulin delivery systems including “pens” and insulin pumps, retinal scanning/imaging procedures, and software advice packages.
• To make the public aware of the significant improvements in diabetes care through advances in engineering and technology.
• To speculate on how engineering and technological research directions will impact on future improvements in diabetes therapy.

Benefits of attending

• Hear from leading speakers from the commercial, clinical, healthcare and academic sectors on the role of technology in diabetes healthcare today.
• Be aware of recent and future developments in diabetes healthcare technology and engineering.
• Network with colleagues, professionals, and people with diabetes.
• Identify new initiatives and directions for future diabetes healthcare products.