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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Telemedicine | Research

Telemedicine for the management of diabetic patients in a high-complexity Latin American hospital

Authors: Luz Angela Casas, Juliana Alarcón, Alejandra Urbano, Evelyn E. Peña-Zárate, Saveria Sangiovanni, Laura Libreros-Peña, María Fernanda Escobar

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) have gained attention worldwide. Latin America experienced a rise in rates of DM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a telemedicine program was implemented in a quaternary care academic complex in Latin America to continue the follow-up of patients with diabetes.

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe the clinical experience of DM patient management through telemedicine and the HbA1c behavior of patients followed-up through this modality.

Materials and methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes who were treated via telemedicine from March to December 2020. A Wilcoxon statistical test was used to compare the changes in glycosylated hemoglobin between the first teleconsultation and after 6 months of telemedicine follow-up.

Results

A total of 663 patients were included, 17.65% (117) of whom had type 1 diabetes and 82.35% (546) of whom had type 2 diabetes. Patients with both types of diabetes, presented with stable HbA1c values regardless of the length of follow-up.

Conclusion

The use of telemedicine can be a helpful tool for both patients and health care providers to support the continuity of care to maintain acceptable control levels within glycemic control goals.
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Metadata
Title
Telemedicine for the management of diabetic patients in a high-complexity Latin American hospital
Authors
Luz Angela Casas
Juliana Alarcón
Alejandra Urbano
Evelyn E. Peña-Zárate
Saveria Sangiovanni
Laura Libreros-Peña
María Fernanda Escobar
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09267-0

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