The effects of web-based diabetes education on diabetes care results: a randomized control study

Abstract

This study aimed to test the effects of providing Web-based diabetes education to individuals with type 2 diabetes on the A1c level and health check attendance. The study participants comprised 122 individuals with type 2 diabetes, who had access to the Internet, had completed their basic diabetes education, and had similar basic situational factors. Using a randomization method, these participants were chosen from the patients being monitored by the diabetes nurses. The experimental group (n = 61) was monitored via the Web. From measurements recorded in the sixth month of monitoring, we found that A1c levels of the individuals with diabetes who were monitored through the Web decreased (t = 6.63; P < .05), and the rate of attending health check visits increased (z = 5.97; P< .05), while no difference was detected in the control group (t = -0.63; P = .534; z = -0.80; P = .426). To maintain glycemic control, Web use could be adopted as a complementary tool for monitoring individuals with diabetes.