Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Coronavirus pandemic had pushed both doctors and patients to adapt to teleconsultation for routine consultations in management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Telemedicine is believed to be an effective resource in health access but its experience to the patient and its outcome of management are not well understood in semi urban and village population of India. Thus, this study aims to assess the experiences and outcomes of T2DM management by tele-consultation in these population.

Methods: This Cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 250 patients with type 2 diabetes who availed teleconsultation services in two diabetes care centers in Tirur, Kerala between March 2021 to August 2021. Patient experience was obtained through an online survey questionnaire and the glycemic outcomes are gathered from base line and end of 3 months.

Results: About 135 (54%) of the patients were male, while 115 (46%) were female. Majority of the teleconsultation occurred in the 45–65-year age group. The mean duration of diabetes was 9.1 ± 4.2. Majority of T2DM patients were on ≥ 2 OADs ( 61.2%). Around 32.8% patients were using Insulins along with oral therapy. Patient experience survey response was received from 210 patients. 190 (90.47%) of patients were happy with the quality of conversations with their physician in terms of advice and instructions. Further 175 (83.33%) were satisfied with the duration of consultation. Around 195 (92.85%) would be happy to use teleconsultation again, while 200 (95.23%) would recommend teleconsultation to their friends and family. The reduction of HbA1c was 0.7% [ TCV1-9.2 ± 13 vs TCV2 -8.5 ± 2.2]. There was minimal change in BMI 0.73 kg/M2 [TCV1 -29.87 ± 4.2 vs TCV2 29.14 ± 2.5 ] was observed. The self-reported hypoglycemia events were less 15 (6%) patients, no documented severe hypoglycemia.

Conclusions: The patient experience and outcomes result of the study indicate that telemedicine may confer better diabetes management during and beyond COVID-19 pandemic in sub-urban and village population in Kerala