Connected Care for Type 2 Diabetes: a Study Protocol for a Structured Self-Management Intervention Through Technology and Healthcare Collaboration
The primary objective of this Randomized Clinical Trial is to improve the self-management (SM) competencies of patients affected by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) living in the Marche region (Italy) through the support of a mobile health (m-health) solution personalised by the diabetologist and integrated with the Electronic Patient Record (EPR), assessed through the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (%) from baseline to the end of the intervention (primary outcome). Researchers will compare the use of the m-health solution (treated group) to usual T2DM care (control group) in determining change in HbA1c levels (%). The intervention will start at the Diabetic Centres (CADs) where patients are currently followed up and will then take place in each participant's home Participants of the treated group will: * receive dedicated training on the use of the m-health solution * receive the personalization of the m-health solution * use the m-health solution to: 1) track and view the data related to their health status (e.g., glycaemic status, lifestyle habits, diet) and treatment plane; 2) receive alerts and motivational messages; communicate with the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) of the Diabetic Centre (CAD) in case of need; 3) access to the educational material and to the technical assistance, when needed. HCPs will be able to monitor the patients' data and clinical parameters and to communicate with the patients. After a baseline evaluation (T0), three follow-up evaluations will be conducted at 6, 12 and 18 months (T1-T2-T3 respectively) , during the usual physician' visits, as part of clinical routine. The evaluation phases (T0, T1, T2, T3) will be conducted through data derived from: 1) self-administered and paper-based questionnaires, validated in the Italian language; 2) the clinical assessment of patients; 3) the m-health solution, as data automatically derived from the m-health solution; 4) a focus group carried out in a subsample of participants. Data regarding different health-related areas (T2DM severity; medication adherence; lifestyle habits; self-efficacy related to management of the disease; quality of life), usability of the m-health solution, participants' experience with the intervention, utilization of the m-health solution by the patients, and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, will be evaluated. Patients participating in the study will not be required to make any additional visits or undergo any laboratory analysis beyond those specified in their therapeutic plan.
• patients with T2DM (as confirmed by the physician's diagnosis);
• belonging to one of the 13 Diabetes Centres (CADs) of the Marche region in Italy (Pesaro, Urbino, Fano, Senigallia, Jesi, Fabriano, IRCCS-INRCA, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria delle Marche, Civitanova Marche, Macerata, Fermo, San Benedetto del Tronto e Ascoli Piceno);
• age \> = 18;
• resident in the Marche region;
• HbA1c \> 7 on most recent laboratory report within the last 3 months;
• no changes in diabetes medication in the previous 6 months;
• no prescription for any hypoglycaemic agent within the previous 4 weeks or taking a consistent dose of one or more oral hypoglycaemic agents for more than 12 weeks;
• owning smartphone/mobile phone with an internet connection;
• capable to consent;
• fulfilling and signing the informed consent;
• with self-reported competencies of communicating verbally in local language (corresponding to a level of Italian language knowledge =\>A2 of the CEFR levels).