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Following the COVID-19 Experience, Many Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Wish to Use Telemedicine in a Hybrid Format

Author

Listed:
  • Tal Schiller

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Taiba Zornitzki

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Viviana Ostrovsky

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Danielle Sapojnik

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Lee Cohen

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Tamila Kunyavski

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Hilla Knobler

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

  • Alena Kirzhner

    (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Kaplan Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light both challenges and unique opportunities regarding type 1 diabetes (T1D) management, including the usage of telemedicine platforms. Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital diabetes clinic. All consecutive T1D patients during March and June 2021 were asked to fill out a structured anonymous questionnaire that aimed to determine their preference regarding continuous use of a virtual platform. Results: In total, 126 T1D patients answered the questionnaire, of whom 51% were under the age of 40, half were men, half used insulin pumps, and 69% used continuous glucose monitoring. During the pandemic, the exposure of patients to virtual visits has grown about twofold, from 29% to 53%. Of the respondents, 49% expressed an interest in future usage of a virtual platform, but most of them preferred use in a hybrid manner. We found an association between preference to use telemedicine in the future and younger age, previous virtual platform experience, and confidence in being able to download data. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the COVID-19 experience has led to a growing interest of T1D patients in using the hybrid format of telemedicine. However, we still need to better understand who will benefit most from this platform and assess its cost-effectiveness and organization.

Suggested Citation

  • Tal Schiller & Taiba Zornitzki & Viviana Ostrovsky & Danielle Sapojnik & Lee Cohen & Tamila Kunyavski & Hilla Knobler & Alena Kirzhner, 2021. "Following the COVID-19 Experience, Many Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Wish to Use Telemedicine in a Hybrid Format," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11309-:d:666534
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    Cited by:

    1. Justyna Grudziąż-Sękowska & Kuba Sękowski & Bartosz Kobuszewski, 2022. "Healthcare Utilization and Adherence to Treatment Recommendations among Children with Type 1 Diabetes in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.

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