Caring System Development for Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Islands

Abstract

This research aimed to develop a caring system for diabetes mellitus patients in health care facilities located on islands and investigate effectiveness of and satisfaction towards the developed caring system The research investigated 90 samples from Ko Panyee Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, Ko Mak Noi Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, and Ko Mai Phai Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital. The samples were patients with type II diabetes and blood sugar levels of higher than 130 mg/dL. The samples were divided into 2 groups, experimental and control (with 45 samples each).The experimental group was treated with the developed caring system while the comparison group was treated with the traditional caring system. Research tools included diabetes mellitus caring system, a questionnaire, health status records. Data analysis was performed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Independent t-test and Paired sample t-test. The results revealed that the developed caring system consisted of medical appointment reminders, medical treatment and training, follow-ups, and medical support via telemedicine, and medical assistance supported by the major hospital and its network joined by the sub-district health promoting hospitals. The results of demonstrated that diabetes mellitus patients had better self-care behaviors. Their blood sugar levels, body mass indexes, and waist circumferences significantly decreased (P-value < 0.01). 86.7% of the samples were satisfied with the developed caring system. In conclusion, the developed caring system could be implemented for the treatment of diabetes in other health care facilities in other islands.