MDMW Communication Platform Study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Development and Evaluation of a Communication Platform to Support Diabetes Care

• IRAS ID

  152523

• Contact name

  Deborah J Wake

• Contact email

  d.j.wake@dundee.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Dundee

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 2 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  This study aims to develop a web-based communication and home blood glucose testing upload hub that will empower patients with diabetes, allowing them to drive their care agenda, but also improve care quality, ease communication and improve efficiency of working for health care professionals (HCPs). It follows preliminary user research carried out with diabetes patients, health care professionals and carers of diabetes patients to investigate their requirements for the system. We plan to trial a system whereby patients can communicate with their HCP using online communication tools (such as Skype/ videoconferencing, online messaging etc.) This will not completely replace the usual physical 6 month check-up, but support it. Patients will also be able to view and share blood glucose results with HCP's using Diasend home accounts.

  Evaluation Plans:
  This project has mixed methods evaluation including:

  a) Technical evaluation of system usage - number of users/ regional variation/ features used/ navigation patterns
  b) Process measures- use of technology, number of remote consultations, no of face to face sessions.
  b) User questionnaire to assess patient and HCP satisfaction with health care delivery measures and impact on quality of life, satisfaction, and diabetes related health perception etc.
  c) Clinical outcomes analysis (with case control comparison). Measurements include HbA1C, BP, weight, insulin doses, hospital admissions, no of clinic appointments attended

  Regular informal user feedback will also be encouraged during the study to identify any ongoing problems with online tool use.

  In addition to the user evaluation, at the end of the pilot project we will also collect informative feedback (via a questionnaire) from health care professionals regarding the ease of use, benefits and barriers to using remote communication tools.

• REC name

  London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/LO/0865

• Date of REC Opinion

  14 May 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion