Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives

Objective Telemedicine has been promoted as an economical and effective way to enhance patient care, but its acceptance among patients in low-income and middle-income countries is poorly understood. This study is aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of people with type 2 diabetes mellit...

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Main Authors: Jun Yang Lee, Carina Ka Yee Chan, Siew Siang Chua, Thomas Paraidathathu, Kenneth Kwing-Chin Lee, Christina San San Tan, Nazrila Nasir, Shaun Wen Huey Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2019-10-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e026575.full
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author Jun Yang Lee
Carina Ka Yee Chan
Siew Siang Chua
Thomas Paraidathathu
Kenneth Kwing-Chin Lee
Christina San San Tan
Nazrila Nasir
Shaun Wen Huey Lee
author_facet Jun Yang Lee
Carina Ka Yee Chan
Siew Siang Chua
Thomas Paraidathathu
Kenneth Kwing-Chin Lee
Christina San San Tan
Nazrila Nasir
Shaun Wen Huey Lee
author_sort Jun Yang Lee
collection DOAJ
description Objective Telemedicine has been promoted as an economical and effective way to enhance patient care, but its acceptance among patients in low-income and middle-income countries is poorly understood. This study is aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus that used telemedicine to manage their condition.Design In-depth and focus group interviews were conducted with participants who have engaged in telemedicine. Questions included were participants’ perception on the programme being used, satisfaction as well as engagement with the telemedicine programme. All interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a thematic approach.Participants and setting People with type 2 diabetes (n=48) who participated in a randomised controlled study which examined the use of telemedicine for diabetes management were recruited from 11 primary care clinics located within the Klang Valley.Results Twelve focus groups and two in-depth interviews were conducted. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) generational difference; (2) independence and convenience, (3) sharing of health data and privacy and (4) concerns and challenges. The main obstacles found in patients using the telemedicine systems were related to internet connectivity and difficulties experienced with system interface. Cost was also another significant concern raised by participants. Participants in this study were primarily positive about the benefits of telemedicine, including its ability to provide real-time data and disease monitoring and the reduction in clinic visits.Conclusion Despite the potential benefits of telemedicine in the long-term care of diabetes, there are several perceived barriers that may limit the effectiveness of this technology. As such, collaboration between educators, healthcare providers, telecommunication service providers and patients are required to stimulate the adoption and the use of telemedicine.NCT0246680.
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spelling doaj-art-5f853b00cedb4db0a14b2cce87cbd61b2025-08-20T01:59:05ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552019-10-0191010.1136/bmjopen-2018-026575Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectivesJun Yang Lee0Carina Ka Yee Chan1Siew Siang Chua2Thomas Paraidathathu3Kenneth Kwing-Chin Lee4Christina San San Tan5Nazrila Nasir6Shaun Wen Huey Lee72 SEGi University Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya, MalaysiaSchool of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University College of Science, Health and Engineering, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia4 School of Pharmacy, Taylor`s University - Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, Malaysia4 School of Pharmacy, Taylor`s University - Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, Malaysia1 School of Pharmacy, Monash University - Malaysia Campus, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia5 HELP International Corporation Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia6 Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia4 School of Pharmacy, Taylor`s University, Subang Jaya, MalaysiaObjective Telemedicine has been promoted as an economical and effective way to enhance patient care, but its acceptance among patients in low-income and middle-income countries is poorly understood. This study is aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus that used telemedicine to manage their condition.Design In-depth and focus group interviews were conducted with participants who have engaged in telemedicine. Questions included were participants’ perception on the programme being used, satisfaction as well as engagement with the telemedicine programme. All interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a thematic approach.Participants and setting People with type 2 diabetes (n=48) who participated in a randomised controlled study which examined the use of telemedicine for diabetes management were recruited from 11 primary care clinics located within the Klang Valley.Results Twelve focus groups and two in-depth interviews were conducted. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) generational difference; (2) independence and convenience, (3) sharing of health data and privacy and (4) concerns and challenges. The main obstacles found in patients using the telemedicine systems were related to internet connectivity and difficulties experienced with system interface. Cost was also another significant concern raised by participants. Participants in this study were primarily positive about the benefits of telemedicine, including its ability to provide real-time data and disease monitoring and the reduction in clinic visits.Conclusion Despite the potential benefits of telemedicine in the long-term care of diabetes, there are several perceived barriers that may limit the effectiveness of this technology. As such, collaboration between educators, healthcare providers, telecommunication service providers and patients are required to stimulate the adoption and the use of telemedicine.NCT0246680.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e026575.full
spellingShingle Jun Yang Lee
Carina Ka Yee Chan
Siew Siang Chua
Thomas Paraidathathu
Kenneth Kwing-Chin Lee
Christina San San Tan
Nazrila Nasir
Shaun Wen Huey Lee
Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives
BMJ Open
title Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives
title_full Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives
title_fullStr Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives
title_full_unstemmed Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives
title_short Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives
title_sort using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus a qualitative analysis of patients perspectives
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/10/e026575.full
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