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A randomized controlled trial of telephone calls to young patients with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes
Author(s) -
Nunn Elizabeth,
King Bruce,
Smart Carmel,
Anderson Donald
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
pediatric diabetes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.678
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1399-5448
pISSN - 1399-543X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-5448.2006.00200.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , randomized controlled trial , type 1 diabetes , intervention (counseling) , type 2 diabetes , physical therapy , pediatrics , nursing , endocrinology
Objective: To determine if scheduled telephone calls from a pediatric diabetes educator to children who have type 1 diabetes improve hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, hospital admissions, diabetes knowledge, compliance, and psychological well‐being. Research design and methods: A randomized controlled trial of 123 young subjects (mean age 11.9 yr, 69 male) with type 1 diabetes (mean duration 3.65 yr). For 7 months, the intervention group held bimonthly 15–30 min scheduled supportive telephone discussions. The primary outcome was change in the HbA1c level. Admission rates and changes in diabetes knowledge, psychological parameters, compliance, and patient perception were measured. Results: There was no significant difference between the treatment and control groups either before or after the intervention. The mean HbA1c level in the control group increased from 8.32 to 8.82% and in the intervention group from 8.15 to 8.85% (p = 0.24). Both groups showed an increase in admissions of 0.2 per yr (p = 0.57). There was no improvement in diabetes knowledge (p = 0.34), compliance, or psychological function. The intervention group viewed their contact with the clinic as more helpful (p = 0.003). Analysis of family function did not reveal subgroups with statistically significant differences. A mean of 13 calls was made to each subject at a cost of $A36 per child per month. Conclusions: Scheduled bimonthly phone support does not improve the HbA1c level, admission rates, diabetes knowledge, psychological function, or self‐management but is perceived by patients as helpful. Further study into the effects of more frequent but shorter periods of support for patients experiencing specific difficulties is needed.