Outcome Measures of a Pilot (mHealth) Intervention for Type II Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Level Hospital
Background: There have been a significant number of initiatives which aimed at using mobile health (mHealth) to improve diabetes care through improving patient provider communication, providing patients with information and lifestyle tips, and appointment reminders. Objectives: To assess the clin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Alexandria University
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of High Institute of Public Health |
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| Summary: | Background: There have been a significant number of initiatives which aimed at using mobile
health (mHealth) to improve diabetes care through improving patient provider communication,
providing patients with information and lifestyle tips, and appointment reminders. Objectives:
To assess the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction pertinent to a pilot „mHealth‟ service
established for type II Diabetes mellitus patients in an educational tertiary level hospital in order
to provide leadership with a recommendation whether or not to institutionalize the service.
Methods: Diabetes mellitus type II patients who received a pilot „mHealth‟ service in an
educational tertiary level hospital were followed up for 12 months. Patient records were
reviewed for reductions in HbA1C levels, hospitalizations, ER visits, unplanned consultant
visits during the follow up period and treatment compliance. Finally patient satisfaction was
anonymously measured at the end of the period. Results: Patient satisfaction with the service
was relatively high (87.7%). Satisfaction with phone calls was significantly higher than
satisfaction with SMS. The mean reduction in HbA1c levels of all patients was 1.670.54,
(p<0.001). The number of received SMS during the service significantly correlated with the
reduction in the HbA1c level (Pearson R= 0.184, p<0.05). Patient compliance with treatment
was significantly correlated with the number of phone calls received (Pearson R = .379 and
P<0.001). The rates of hospitalization, visits to ER and unplanned consultant visits were
generally low among the studied patients (4.5%, 7.1% and 16.9% respectively). Conclusion
and Recommendations: The pilot mHealth service implemented in the hospital was
significantly correlated to the patient compliance with treatment, and improvement in glycemic
control with a remarkably high patient satisfaction. It is recommended to institutionalize the
intervention, as a standard component of Diabetes mellitus care, and to conduct further patient
satisfaction surveys, benchmarking and evaluation studies to assess the effectiveness of the
service. |
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| ISSN: | 2357-0601 2357-061X |