Efficacy of Diabetes Self-Management Education Administered via Telehealth for Adults with Uncontrolled Diabetes

Author

Tanner Free, Valparaiso University

Date of Award

4-28-2021

Degree Type

Evidence-Based Project Report

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Theresa A. Kessler

Abstract

Patient’s with a diagnosis of diabetes require significant lifestyle modification and education. The need for patient education has led to the development of diabetes self-management education (DSME) classes. Unfortunately, utilization of DSME classes is only 5% among Medicare beneficiaries and 6.8% among privately insured patients (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2018). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement DSME via telehealth and assist with goal formation to help patients with uncontrolled diabetes achieve glycemic control by increasing access to crucial education. The intervention consisted of bi-weekly calls for a period of 3 months. Participant data were collected, and the diabetes self-management questionnaire (DSMQ) was administered. During these calls, participants were reminded of and encouraged to follow patient education points from their last office visit. In addition, the DSMQ results helped create individualized education and goal setting based on the area of greatest deficiencies. Subsequent calls assessed goal progress, provided additional education, and helped set new goals based on progression towards achievement. The primary outcome of interest for this study was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), this was collected pre-intervention and compared to post-intervention results. Secondary outcomes included DSMQ, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, activity in minutes, and BMI. This sample contained 24 adult patients that had either type I (n = 2) or type II diabetes (n = 22). Statistical analysis was conducted utilizing a paired t test. A significant decrease from pre-intervention HbA1c to post-intervention was found (M = 1.51176), (t(17) = 3.043, p < .008), demonstrating the average participant experienced a 1.5% reduction in post-intervention HbA1c levels. Conclusions from this project supported previous studies indicating that DSME administered via telehealth resulted in statistically significant reductions in HbA1c.

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Recommended Citation

Free, Tanner, "Efficacy of Diabetes Self-Management Education Administered via Telehealth for Adults with Uncontrolled Diabetes" (2021). Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports. 171.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/ebpr/171