NICH at Its Best for Diabetes at Its Worst: Texting Teens and Their Caregivers for Better Outcomes.
J Diabetes Sci Technol
; 11(3): 468-475, 2017 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28745094
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There is growing evidence for the feasibility of text-based interventions for pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, less is known regarding whether the use of personalized text messages with high-risk youth and their caregivers is associated with improvements in youth health. This study examines the use of diabetes-specific texts and associated health outcomes for participants of the Novel Interventions in Children's Healthcare (NICH) program.METHODS:
Text messages sent to youth with T1D and their caregivers during NICH intervention were coded regarding diabetes relevance and adherence-related content. Health outcome data (eg, HbA1c values, hospital admissions) prior to and following NICH program enrollment were collected.RESULTS:
Fewer than half (43%) of texts sent to patients and their caregivers were identified as being related to diabetes, and over 95% of diabetes-related texts were identified as adherence-related. Participants in the NICH program demonstrated a significant decrease in HbA1c values, t(23) = 2.78, p ≤ .05, and DKA-related hospital visits, t(24) = 2.78, p ≤ .01, during program involvement. Although no relationships were identified between patient-recipient text characteristics and health outcomes, the frequency and type of text messaging with caregivers was significantly associated with changes in health outcomes.CONCLUSIONS:
This study represents the most extensive evaluation of diabetes-related SMS use and health outcomes for NICH participants to date. Findings demonstrate improvements in patient health during NICH program involvement. Implications include that sending frequent, personalized, and adherence-reinforcing texts to patients' caregivers may result in improved patient health, decreased utilization, and, potentially, associated reductions in health care costs.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Patient Education as Topic
/
Reminder Systems
/
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
/
Text Messaging
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
J Diabetes Sci Technol
Journal subject:
ENDOCRINOLOGIA
Year:
2017
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States