BACKGROUND
Chronic diseases are an important public health issue worldwide and affect an individual's quality of life. Due to the alarming rise in type 2 diabetes, healthcare, which was previously largely focused primarily on diagnosis and treatment of the disease, is increasingly focused on prevention and self-care. Patients who adhere to a constant and strict treatment regimen (physical activity, diet, medication) and regularly monitor their health, maintain self-care and health, prevent exacerbation of the disease and prevent complications of diabetes (retinopathy, diabetic feet). Many innovative devices that have become increasingly present in patient health care in recent years, such as mobile applications, are available to patients to maintain consistency in monitoring their health status. Mobile applications make it easier for individuals to monitor their self-care, monitor illness, and make it easier to follow instructions regarding disease control.
OBJECTIVE
The study aim is to determine the impact of mobile application use on self-care in patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study is also to evaluate and test the usefulness of the forDiabetes application as a tool to improve the self-care of individuals with type 2 diabetes.
METHODS
We will perform a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The study will include individuals over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed and have regulated type 2 diabetes, who have already received oral treatment and are being treated in family medicine practice. Also, individuals included in the study should not have any acute complications due to the consequences of type 2 diabetes. During the study, they should be able to use an Android or iOS mobile phone and a blood glucose meter. With the help of simple randomization, individuals will be divided into an intervention and a control group. Individuals in the intervention group will use the forDiabetes mobile app to monitor their self-care for type 2 diabetes. Individuals in the control group will not receive a special intervention. Data will be collected using the “Self-care of Diabetes Inventory” questionnaire and a “Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire”. Blood sugar, blood pressure, HbA1c, and weight measurements will be monitored using the calibrated instruments during the study by the nurses employed in family medicine practice. Data will be collected at the beginning of the study and after the patient visit to the family medicine practice.
RESULTS
The expected results as a result of using the mobile application forDiabetes are the impact on the level of self-care, the impact on the perception of the disease, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, HbA1c, and the measured body weight of the patient.
CONCLUSIONS
The research contributes to greater visibility and usability of mobile applications for self-care of patients with type 2 diabetes and makes aware of the possible use of innovative methods.
CLINICALTRIAL
NCT04999189
Primary care-public health linkages: Older primary care patients with prediabetes & type 2 diabetes encouraged to attend community-based senior centers