OBJECTIVE: To determine if scheduled telephone calls from a pediatric diabetes educator to children who have type 1 diabetes improve hemoglobinA1c (HbA1c) level, hospital admissions, diabetes knowledge, compliance, and psychological well-being. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 123 young subjects (mean age 11.9 yr, 69 male) with type 1 diabetes (mean duration 3.65 yr). For 7 months, the intervention group held bimonthly 15-30 min scheduled supportive telephone discussions. The primary outcome was change in the HbA1c level. Admission rates and changes in diabetes knowledge, psychological parameters, compliance, and patient perception were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups either before or after the intervention. The mean HbA1c level in the control group increased from 8.32 to 8.82% and in the intervention group from 8.15 to 8.85% (p = 0.24). Both groups showed an increase in admissions of 0.2 per yr (p = 0.57). There was no improvement in diabetes knowledge (p = 0.34), compliance, or psychological function. The intervention group viewed their contact with the clinic as more helpful (p = 0.003). Analysis of family function did not reveal subgroups with statistically significant differences. A mean of 13 calls was made to each subject at a cost of 36 Australian dollars per child per month. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduled bimonthly phone support does not improve the HbA1c level, admission rates, diabetes knowledge, psychological function, or self-management but is perceived by patients as helpful. Further study into the effects of more frequent but shorter periods of support for patients experiencing specific difficulties is needed.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine if scheduled telephone calls from a pediatric diabetes educator to children who have type 1 diabetes improve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, hospital admissions, diabetes knowledge, compliance, and psychological well-being. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 123 young subjects (mean age 11.9 yr, 69 male) with type 1 diabetes (mean duration 3.65 yr). For 7 months, the intervention group held bimonthly 15-30 min scheduled supportive telephone discussions. The primary outcome was change in the HbA1c level. Admission rates and changes in diabetes knowledge, psychological parameters, compliance, and patient perception were measured. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups either before or after the intervention. The mean HbA1c level in the control group increased from 8.32 to 8.82% and in the intervention group from 8.15 to 8.85% (p = 0.24). Both groups showed an increase in admissions of 0.2 per yr (p = 0.57). There was no improvement in diabetes knowledge (p = 0.34), compliance, or psychological function. The intervention group viewed their contact with the clinic as more helpful (p = 0.003). Analysis of family function did not reveal subgroups with statistically significant differences. A mean of 13 calls was made to each subject at a cost of 36 Australian dollars per child per month. CONCLUSIONS: Scheduled bimonthly phone support does not improve the HbA1c level, admission rates, diabetes knowledge, psychological function, or self-management but is perceived by patients as helpful. Further study into the effects of more frequent but shorter periods of support for patients experiencing specific difficulties is needed.
Authors: Heather D Lehmkuhl; Eric A Storch; Christina Cammarata; Kara Meyer; Omar Rahman; Janet Silverstein; Toree Malasanos; Gary Geffken Journal: J Diabetes Sci Technol Date: 2010-01-01
Authors: Deborah A Ellis; Sylvie Naar-King; Xinguang Chen; Kathleen Moltz; Phillippe B Cunningham; April Idalski-Carcone Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2012-10
Authors: Raman Khanna; Pamela J Stoddard; Elizabeth N Gonzales; Mariana Villagran-Flores; Joan Thomson; Paul Bayard; Ana Gabriela Palos Lucio; Dean Schillinger; Stefano Bertozzi; Ralph Gonzales Journal: J Diabetes Sci Technol Date: 2014-09-19