The impact of electronic education on metabolic control indicators in patients with diabetes who need insulin: a randomised clinical control trial

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To determine the impact of electronic education on metabolic control indicators in patients with diabetes who were insulin dependent.

Background: Education can play an important role in controlling diabetes. Electronic (web-based, telehealth) education may be an efficient way to improve the patients' ability to control this disease.

Design: Randomised clinical control study.

Methods: The participants in this clinical study were 48 insulin-dependent patients referred to diabetes centres in Shiraz, Iran. Serum concentrations of haemoglobin A(1C) , fasting blood sugar, triglycerides and high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. Then the participants were divided randomly into control and experimental groups (n = 24). Participants in the experimental group received a specially designed electronic education programme for twelve weeks. The main components of the programme were a consultation service, quick answers to patients' questions, contact with the healthcare team and educational materials. At the end of the intervention period, all serum values were measured again in both groups. The data were compared using spss v 13·5 software.

Results: Serum concentrations of haemoglobin A(1C) (p < 0·001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0·002) were significantly lower in the intervention group.

Conclusion: The electronic education programme was useful in lowering two metabolic indicators of diabetes.

Relevance to clinical practice: Electronic education can be associated with increased health and patient satisfaction, and can eliminate the need to train personnel.