Comparative effectiveness of telehealth-delivered family and standard models of diabetes self-management education and support for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: Family members/support persons can shape the self-management decisions of persons with T2DM (PWDs), and their inclusion in DSMES may lead to improved outcomes. However, research on the effectiveness of family models of DSMES (Family-DSMES) is limited. We conducted a comparative effectiveness-implementation RCT of Family-DSMES and a standard model of DSMES (Standard-DSMES) delivered via telehealth.

METHODS

550 diverse adult PWDs and their family members/support persons were recruited from eight primary care clinics in both rural and urban areas. Process data was collected to evaluate implementation characteristics. Biometric, behavioral, and psychosocial measures were collected from PWDs.

RESULTS

Mean attendance was slightly higher for PWDs in Family-DSMES than Standard-DSMES (62 % vs. 57 %, p = 0.096). Engagement (p = 0.319) and class time (p = 0.145) were similar across arms. PWDs in both arms experienced a decrease in HbA1c at all time points (p < 0.005). No statistically significant between-arm differences were found for biometric outcomes or behavioral outcomes including HbA1c. For diabetes-related helpful family involvement, the improvement in the Family-DSMES arm was significantly greater than in the Standard-DSMES arm (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate the ability to engage rural and diverse PWDs in a telehealth intervention with high fidelity to achieve clinically and statistically significant improvements in HbA1c.