8748 Use of Telemedicine In Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus At The University of Santo Tomas Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Disclosure: J.O. Salmon: None. D.V. Bawal: None. M.S. Gomez: None. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is essential in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, many patients with T2DM still have lack of access to DSME. The surge of the pandemic gave impetus to the use of telemedicine in our healthcare. This study was undertaken to determine if DSME via telemedicine can be provided as effectively as face-to-face encounters. It also aimed to determine if DSME via telemedicine will improve diabetes knowledge and adherence to self-care. A total of 48 adults with T2DM were randomized to receive DSME via face-to-face encounter (control group) or via telemedicine (intervention group) in this single-center, randomized controlled trial. A single session of diabetes education was given to both groups. Subjects in the control group received DSME via face-to-face encounter while those in the intervention group received DSME via telemedicine. Outcome measures such as glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, and adherence to self-care behavior were determined at baseline and three months after the intervention. Three months after DSME, HbA1c improved from 7.62% (SD=1.81) to 7.27% (SD=0.33) in the telemedicine group. There was a significant increase in the proportion of participants with better glycemic control (37.50% to 57.14%, p=0.027). The mean overall diabetes knowledge improved by 5.27% (SD=4.32) in the telemedicine group. There was also a 13.25% improvement in the diabetes self-care adherence behavior in the telemedicine group. Majority of the participants in the telemedicine group had good adherence in six out of the seven self-care behaviors after DSME, namely healthy eating (57.14%), being active (57.14%), glucose monitoring (57.14%), medication adherence (61.90%), problem solving (76.19%), and healthy coping (85.71%). There was a significant increase in the proportion of participants with good behavior on medication adherence (58.33% to 61.90%, p=0.032). DSME via telemedicine can be provided as effectively as face-to-face encounters. Our study showed that DSME via telemedicine improved glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, and self-care adherence behavior. Telemedicine can help provide a means to reach patients with T2DM who have access problems. Presentation: 6/1/2024