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Parental expectations before and after 12‐month experience with video consultations combined with regular outpatient care for children with type 1 diabetes: a qualitative study
Author(s) -
von Sengbusch S.,
Doerdelmann J.,
Lemke S.,
Lange K.,
Hiort O.,
Katalinic A.,
Frielitz F. S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.14410
Subject(s) - medicine , family medicine , feeling , telemedicine , type 1 diabetes , outpatient clinic , intervention (counseling) , qualitative research , medical prescription , diabetes mellitus , nursing , health care , psychology , social psychology , social science , endocrinology , sociology , economics , economic growth
Aim To explore parents’ expectations of the perceived barriers to and benefits of 1 year of monthly video consultations combined with regular outpatient care of children with type 1 diabetes. Methods The Virtual Diabetes Outpatient Clinic for Children and Youth (VIDIKI) study was a controlled, multicentre, perennial study with 240 participants from northern Germany. Fifty‐four qualitative interviews with parents were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Before the intervention, 30 interviews were conducted to assess parents’ expectations, and after 1 year, 24 interviews evaluated the experienced benefits and barriers to video consultations. Results Four main topics were identified from parents’ responses to the video consultation. The main advantages of the video consultation compared with standard care were a higher frequency of contact for optimized insulin dosing and saving time; difficulties with internet connections were identified as the main barrier. A feeling of increased confidence with respect to insulin dosing was directly associated with telemedicine. Digital prescriptions and meeting the same diabetologist in both outpatient and telemedical care were mentioned as important improvements. The majority of interviewees preferred intervals of 4–6 weeks between video consultations. Conclusion The higher frequency of contact with the diabetes team was considered a great relief by parents of children with type 1 diabetes. Apart from the time savings and flexibility in appointments, the most important advantages were the higher frequency of contact leading to short‐term therapy adjustments and an increase in the ability to adjust therapy independently. (German Clinical Trials Registry No: DRKS00012645).