Effects of Telemedicine on Self-Care Behaviors and Blood Sugar Level of Diabetic Patients with Uncontrolled Blood Glucose Levels in Huai Khot Hospital, Uthai Thani Province

Abstract

This research aimed to 1) compare the scores of knowledge about diabetes, self-care behavior, and blood glucose Levels before and after the experiment between the experimental and the control groups and 2) compare the post scores of knowledge about diabetes, self-care behavior, and blood glucose levels after experiment between the experimental and the control groups. The samples were 60 subjects were divided into two groups (experimental and control) with 30 subjects each. The instruments used in this research were 1) a diabetes knowledge test and 2) a self-care behavior questionnaire with confidence values ​​of .83 and .95 respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data, and differences were compared using paired t -test and Independent t-test.

The results revealed that, after the experiment, the experimental group displayed a higher average score and a reduction in their blood glucose levels with a significance level of .05.  The comparison between telemedicine and normal medical examinations revealed that the experimental group treated with telemedicine displayed a higher score than the control group, and the average blood glucose level reduced significantly with a significance level of .05. 

The telemedicine model can improve diabetic patients’ knowledge about diabetes and self-care behavior and help them control their accumulated blood sugar levels (HbA1c) effectively. This research is beneficial for related agencies, and the results could be implemented in the area and other networks in the area.