Telephonic nurse case management for patients with diabetes and mental illnesses: a qualitative perspective

Abstract

Members with co-morbid behavioural health diagnoses and diabetes constitute a complex population with extensive needs. The TNCM's role extends beyond diabetes care and entails social support as well as navigation of the healthcare and social service systems.

An evidence-based approach to the use of telehealth in long-term health conditions: development of an intervention and evaluation through pragmatic randomised controlled trials in patients with depression or raised cardiovascular risk

“…109 Although there were benefits of telephone interventions overall, including mobile technology for asthma control and management, 110 problems reaching transient populations with mental health problems were also cited. 111 However, internet programmes for people with chronic diseases reduced isolation and improved information sharing 112 and patients with cancer involved in internet support groups appeared to benefit from empowerment and reduced isolation. 113 …”

“…103 For example, middle-aged men with diabetes reported improved knowledge and management of symptoms linked to a diabetes decision support system, but the system was reported as not working for patients engaging in sport. 114 Reports also suggested that patients with poorly controlled diabetes benefited from frequent monitoring and medication adjustment 109 and patients with good diabetic control benefited from telephone coaching, 111 but a highly transient population had difficulties responding to telephone contact. 111 Patients of varied ethnic groups expressed improved peace of mind linked to home telecare.…”

“…114 Reports also suggested that patients with poorly controlled diabetes benefited from frequent monitoring and medication adjustment 109 and patients with good diabetic control benefited from telephone coaching, 111 but a highly transient population had difficulties responding to telephone contact. 111 Patients of varied ethnic groups expressed improved peace of mind linked to home telecare. 105 Lastly, daily monitoring was perceived as promoting adherence.…”

“…139 However, highly transient patients were found to be more likely to fail to respond to telephone communication. 111 The use of telehealth could also offer convenience in accessing care (e.g. not having to travel to appointments 98 ), but this was not always perceived as important to patients.…”

Out-of-office hours nurse-driven acute telephone counselling service in a large diabetes outpatient clinic: A mixed methods evaluation

“…However, the retrospective audit, to some degree, identified the rest of the frequent users as a group of physically and/or psychologically fragile patients, whose needs were not covered by ATC. This finding indicates that this specifically vulnerable group require more advanced and tailored interventions delivered by professionals who in addition to their diabetes qualifications are specialised in the care of vulnerable people, as also recommended in other studies [25,26]. The qualitative observations in this study provided an overview that was not available before and pinpointed the diversity of advice and recommendations given by the DSNs.…”