The Effect of a Web-Based Self-management Planning on Treatment Adherence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifaceted, chronic disease that requires self-management training and support. Attention to treatment adherence is crucial to prevent complications in patients with T2DM, especially with modern self-management training methods. Adherence to treatment (AT) includes adherence to prescribed medication, diet, and recommendations from relevant specialists. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of a web-based self-management training program on treatment adherence in hospitalized patients with T2DM. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 96 patients with T2DM were selected by convenience sampling and randomized into intervention and control groups. Hemoglobin A1C levels, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and phone numbers of the patients' primary family caregivers were recorded. Both groups received routine healthcare services and training at discharge. The intervention group also received educational videos and booklets about diabetes mellitus (DM) for three online sessions. The self-management training program was conducted two to three days later via WhatsApp. Patients in the intervention group were tracked by phone calls twice a week for eight weeks. Data collection tools included a demographic characteristics form, the Adherence Modanloo Questionnaire in Patients with Chronic Diseases (AQPCD), and a needs assessment tool, completed online and followed up by phone calls or online before the intervention, four weeks later, and eight weeks after discharge. Results: The mean scores of all domains of adherence to treatment were 109.27 ± 34.19. There was a statistically significant difference in the domains of effort to treatment, tendency to participate in treatment, adaptability, integrating treatment with life, adherence to treatment, commitment to treatment, and hesitation to implement treatment between the intervention and control groups before and after the training program (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The web-based training program improved self-management skills and treatment adherence in patients with T2DM. Healthcare organizations are encouraged to utilize new information technology (IT) methodologies to promote self-management skills and increase adaptability among patients with chronic diseases, including T2DM, through the involvement of patients and their primary family caregivers.