Effect of telenursing (telephone follow-up) on glycemic control and body mass index (BMI) of type 2 diabetes patients

BACKGROUND: Telenursing includes every nursing and care-giving services conducted remotely. In telenursing, telephone as a device, which is available for most of the people, is being used increasingly. In a telephone-based system, patients are being contacted by health care providers on regular bases and they would be provided with some information about their illness and their treatment method. This study was conducted to determine the effect of phone-based follow-ups on diabetes patients’ metabolic control in the city of Kerman in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study conducted on 50 type II diabetes patients in Kerman during 2011. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and also by taking physiological measurement of fasting blood suger (FBS), Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), and postprandial glucose (PPG). Participants’ body mass index (BMI) was calculated by measuring height and weight. Patients completed the questionnaire at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks later. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of experiment and control. Patients in the experimental group received phone calls by the researcher for 12 weeks, and the follow-ups included instructions on self-care and advices to follow their diets, exercise, and insulin titration. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (chi-square, analysis of variance [ANOVA], independent t-test, and paired t-test). RESULTS: The decrease of HbA1c and PPG was significantly more in the intervention group compared with the controls (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the mean of FBS (P = 0.42), and BMI (P = 0.31) in both groups after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, telenursing was able to improve the metabolic indices of the patients. Therefore, using this method is recommended for patients with type II diabetes.