Use and perception of telemedicine in people with type 1 diabetes during the COVID‐19 pandemic—Results of a global survey

Abstract

Introduction The COVID‐19 pandemic has forced rapid reconsideration as to the way in which health care is delivered. One potential means to provide care while avoiding unnecessary person‐to‐person contact is to offer remote services (telemedicine). This study aimed to (1) gather real‐time information on the use and perception of telemedicine in people living with type 1 diabetes and (2) assess the challenges, such as restricted access to health care and/or medical supplies. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was widely distributed between 24 March and 5 May 2020 using an open‐access web‐based platform. Data were analysed descriptively, and results were stratified according to age, sex and HbA1c. Results There were 7477 survey responses from individuals in 89 countries. Globally, 30% reported that the pandemic had affected their healthcare access due to cancelled physical appointments with their healthcare providers. Thirty‐two per cent reported no fundamental change in their medical follow‐up during this period, with 9% stating that no personal contact was established with their doctors over the duration of the study. Twenty‐eight per cent received remote care through telephone (72%) or video‐calls (28%). Of these, 86% found remote appointments useful and 75% plan to have remote appointments in the future. Glucose control, indicated by HbA1c, was positively associated with positive perception of telemedicine. In males, 45% of respondents with an HbA1c > 9% rated telemedicine not useful compared to those with lower HbA1c, while 20% of females with an HbA1c > 9% rated it not useful (χ2 = 14.2, P = .0016). Conclusion Remote appointments have largely been perceived as positive in people with type 1 diabetes with the majority (75%) stating that they would consider remote appointments beyond the pandemic. Age and level of education do not appear to influence perception of telemedicine, whereas poor glucose control, particularly in males, seems to negatively affect perception.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Adrenal Insufficiency

“…The possible explanations for these findings could be pandemic-related increase in childcare responsibilities, lockdown measures, furlough, and loss in income, as well as possible difficulties with telemedicine access. Our findings are in line with several other studies that have reported younger patients and women were more vulnerable to the mental stress related to the pandemic ( 24 , 25 ), that easy access to telemedicine could achieve high patient’s satisfaction and meet their needs in other common endocrine conditions during the pandemic ( 26 , 27 ), and that good insurance coverage was associated with better self-perceived health in patients with AI ( 7 ).…”

Managing Type 1 Diabetes among Saudi adults on insulin pump therapy during the COVID-19 lockdown

“…Most of those who received virtual education considered their experience beneficial. Similarly, a large multinational cross-sectional survey study including 7,477 patients with T1DM (56% insulin pump users) reported that most of those who had remote appointments during the COVID-19 outbreak found it helpful and planned on using this mode of healthcare in the future [ 28 ].…”

Is Telemedicine the Preferred Visit Modality in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes?

“…Only a few published studies have evaluated the perception of telemedicine by adults with T1D [2,3]. Two such studies were recently conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”