Cross-sectional study about the use of telemedicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Spain: patient’s perspective. The EnREDa2 Study

Abstract

ObjectivesThe usefulness of telemedicine (TM) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been discussed in recent years. The aim of this study is to describe patients’ perceptions about TM and to identify preferences on TM resources, in Spain.DesignAn observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire.Participants1036 patients with T2DM accepted to participate in the study (response rate: 68%).ResultsBlood glucose values were recorded by 85.9% of the patients while data such as lifestyle habits were only recorded by 14.4% of the patients. Previous experience in TM was reported by 9.8% of the patients, out of which 70.5% were satisfied with its service and 73.5% considered that the use of TM had optimised their T2DM management. However, most of these patients noted aspects to be improved such as user-friendliness (81.4%), interaction with the medical team (78.4%) and time required for recording/transferring data (78.4%). Experienced patients had better perception about TM usefulness than naïve patients for all listed aspects (p<0.05). Among naïve patients, 38.2% expressed their willingness to participate in TM programmes, but only 4.7% were invited to do so. Patients considered that physicians’ (77.5%) and pharmacists’ (75.5%) encouragement can boost the use of TM.ConclusionsIn Spain, nearly 10% of patients with T2DM have experience with TM and it is well accepted, especially one based on glucometers. Nevertheless, in order to promote TM use, easier and time-saving programmes for patient-physician interaction should be optimised.

More room for telemedicine after COVID-19: lessons for primary care?

“…As expected, TM also proved cost-effective from the health and societal perspectives [21,22], thanks to lower direct (clinical) and indirect (travel and work loss) costs. In general, TM should help pave the way to effective, efficient and patient-centered health care in the long run [3,15], facilitating and speeding up the interaction between patients and health professionals [21].…”

“…Several studies have shown that TM is not inferior to traditional consultations in terms of clinical efficacy and quality of life, especially for chronic diseases which require periodic check-ups [18][19][20][21][22]. The most paradigmatic example is diabetes-probably not by chance the very first pathology to which the concept of patient empowerment was applied [23]-due to the crucial importance of lifestyle and thus the major role played by patients in the management of their own health.…”

Patient Preference and Satisfaction with the Use of Telemedicine for Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

“… Face-to-face information was preferred as patients felt that it was more personal. Rodriguez-Fortúnez et al, 2019 (Spain) 24 Questionnaire Urban T2D elderly recruited from primary care Age: 60.3 years Diabetes duration: ≥1 year Telemedicine 70.5% patients were satisfied with the use of TM. They perceived that TM was able to reduce healthcare resource use including visits to the healthcare professionals, emergency room, and pharmacy, and time per visit.…”

Improving primary care in Europe beyond COVID-19: from telemedicine to organizational reforms

“…Several studies have shown that TM is at least as good as traditional consultations in terms of efficacy and quality of life, especially for frequent and rare chronic diseases that require periodic check-ups and visits to hospitals [ 12 , 13 ]. The most paradigmatic example is diabetes, probably not by chance the very first illness to which the concept of patient empowerment was applied [ 14 ], owing to the crucial importance of lifestyle and thus the major role played by patients to manage their own health.…”

“…The most paradigmatic example is diabetes, probably not by chance the very first illness to which the concept of patient empowerment was applied [ 14 ], owing to the crucial importance of lifestyle and thus the major role played by patients to manage their own health. Not surprisingly, TM also resulted to be cost-effective from both health and societal perspectives [ 12 , 13 ], thanks to lower direct (clinical) and indirect (travel and work loss) costs.…”