Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2021; 129(11): 831-836
DOI: 10.1055/a-1149-8814
Article

Assessing the benefits and challenges of video consultations for the treatment of children with type 1 diabetes – A qualitative study among diabetes professionals

1   Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Jana Dördelmann
1   Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Stella Lemke
1   Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Karin Lange
2   Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
,
Olaf Hiort
3   Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Alexander Katalinic
1   Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
,
Simone von Sengbusch
3   Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Funding: The interview study was funded by the German Diabetes Foundation (DDS), Funding code FP-04008-2018. The study was part of the VIDIKI study funded by the German Federal Joint Committee, funding code 01NVF16023.

Abstract

Background Video consultations are promoted as a tool to effectively supplement paediatric diabetes outpatient care. However, knowledge about attitudes of diabetes professionals towards this new technology is lagging behind. Diabetologists and diabetes nurses participating in a controlled study (the VIDIKI study) with monthly video consultations for children with type 1 diabetes were interviewed about their experience with this type of communication.

Research Design and Methods Guideline-based qualitative interviews with 9 telemedicine experts (7 paediatric diabetologists and 2 diabetes nurses) and 7 paediatric diabetologists who agreed to the telemedical co-treatment of their patients were analysed using qualitative content analysis, in particular inductive category formation.

Results Diabetes experts reported generally positive attitudes towards video consultations. They identified a number of unique benefits of telemedical interventions, including higher frequency of contacts, greater sense of patient´s safety, ability to interact with patients in their own homes, more timely and accurate medical monitoring, and improved data management. Additionally, it was important to the experts to maintain regular face-to-face consultations and to ensure close communication between telemedicine and outpatient clinical experts.

Conclusions Prerequisites for successful video consultations include a comprehensive initial technical training and an agreement on treatment responsibilities of all health care professionals involved in the patient’s care. Under these conditions, the experts reported significant advantages of video consultation in the treatment of children with type 1 diabetes.



Publication History

Received: 04 February 2020
Received: 23 March 2020

Accepted: 30 March 2020

Article published online:
07 May 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Stuttgart · New York

 
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