Challenges in the inpatient education of new onset type 1 DM patients: Can tablet technology be the answer?

Volume 10, Issue S28
October 2019

Abstracts for the 45th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD), October 30-November 2, 2019

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Challenges in the inpatient education of new onset type 1 DM patients:
Can tablet technology be the answer?

1. Cospito¹, J. Aisenberg², I. Brennan², J. Haugh², S. Ghanny³

¹Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, United States, ²Hackensack University Medical Center, Pediatrics, Hackensack, United States, ³Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Pediatrics, Hackensack, United States

Introduction:
Educating patients and families on the management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has always been a challenge. Some endocrinologists educate patients and families with new onset Type1 DM in the inpatient setting, while others have tried to do this process as an outpatient given the changes in the limits of inpatient coverage. Given the challenges in the education process, we must find new and innovative ways to educate patients and families efficiently. In a world where smartphones and tablets are the main way people access information, medical professionals can integrate these devices into the education of patients. Use of such a platform can make patients and families be more independent in the education process. Objectives: To study whether the use of a tablet platform as an adjunct in the education of patients and families with newly diagnosed Type 1 DM leads to improved understanding of diabetes management.

Methods:
Newly diagnosed Type 1 DM diabetes patients were randomized, where 50% received traditional diabetes education and the other 50% received the tablet in addition to the traditional diabetes education. The tablet contained modules that taught the various aspects of Type 1 DM care. Each module contains a pre-test to assess the user’s knowledge prior to viewing the modules. The modules have lectures on the topic, as well as instructional video. Following this, there is a post-test to assess the user’s knowledge. Each cohort was then assessed for improvements in HbA1c, incidence of hypoglycemia and phone calls to the office.

Results:
Preliminary data has shown that participants who used the tablets had better improvement in HbA1c, less hypoglycemia and called the office less, when compared to the other cohort.

Conclusions:
Preliminary data has shown that the use of tablet technology in the education of Type 1 DM patients has led to in better HbA1c improvement, less hypoglycemia and less phone calls to office.

Source:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/pedi.12924