Healthcare Strategies for Patients with Chronic Diseases in an Ageing Society: Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

Many developed countries are facing an ageing population and a declining birth rate. According to the World Health Organisation, the population of those aged 60 years and older is expected to reach two billion by 2050. The sustainability of current healthcare systems is threatened by this rapidly ageing population. On the other hand, the number of patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes is also increasing worldwide, which represents a serious “pandemic”. Given that this increasing trend will continue, hospitals and clinics will overflow with older patients with chronic diseases, resulting in the collapse of healthcare systems. We are now required to establish an effective healthcare system in a super-ageing society. For example, integrated healthcare, which involves sharing information and coordination among healthcare providers, patients, healthcare organisations, and communities, is a useful tool to provide appropriate healthcare services to older patients who are physically and socially weak. Recent studies have suggested that monitoring patients’ biological information, such as vital signs and physical activity, sharing the information between stakeholders, and guiding patients to optimal healthcare services using remote monitoring systems will improve patients’ quality of life and mortality and eventually reduce healthcare costs to society.

This Special Issue invites a broad spectrum of research topics regarding healthcare strategies for patients with chronic diseases, including, but not restricted to, diabetes in an ageing society. We will compile original research articles, case reports, and critical reviews (narrative/systematic). The topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, ageing society, patient-centred care, patient satisfaction, quality of care, diet and physical activity for frail elderly people, wearable devices, e-health, m-health, the Internet of Things, digital solutions, and other related topics.

Dr. Hidetaka Hamasaki
Guest Editor

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