Technology to Improve the Health of Resource-poor Hispanics With Diabetes
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study evaluates the efficacy and implementation of a telehealth-supported, integrated diabetes group visit program led by Community Health Workers (CHWs). Primary study relates to efficacy and a secondary study addresses mentored implementation.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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N/A |
Detailed Description
The number of Hispanics diagnosed with diabetes is escalating in the US with disproportionately higher prevalence and complication rates than other ethnicities. CHWs are a well-established and culturally sensitive means to bridge gaps in care to individuals with diabetes. However CHWs are often left unsupported, placing patients at risk of substandard care or harm. Telehealth is a term used to describe a range of technologies to support healthcare delivery via communication with the patient or a member of the healthcare delivery team. Though telehealth has been implemented into diabetes programs for many years, there is a paucity of data showing the use of telemedicine for CHW training and support.
The primary study (n=89; Cohorts 1,2) compares clinical outcomes and treatment satisfaction of individuals who receive diabetes care in a 12-month telehealth supported, integrated CHW-led group visit program compared to those in usual care (wait list control). Group visits are 6-months and CHWs contact patients weekly to bimonthly (mobile health (mHealth)) for 12-months. This phase with have two cohort waves, separated by 6-months. The wait list control group for Cohort 2 will explore telehealth, clinician-patient encounters. A secondary study (n=59; Cohorts 3,4) at a new clinic evaluates the ability to implement the program. In the first phase of the secondary study the research team will conduct a RCT of individuals randomized to the diabetes program (intervention) vs usual care (control) to assess clinic feasibility. The clinic team will observe this process and learn the project protocols during Phase 1. In the second phase, the clinic team will lead the group visits while the research team mentors them to conduct the project in-person at the group visits and via telehealth each week (ZOOM video conferencing). Another secondary study (n=138; Cohort 5) aims to expand the reach of the education and CHW intervention for individuals who may not be able to or cannot come to the clinic for group visits. Specifically, individuals will received the education from the program monthly via a secure text message video, CHWs will contact weekly to bimonthly to advocate for their needs, and participants will receive their routine care as usual in the clinic.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
---|---|
Experimental: Intervention Receive diabetes group visits/diabetes program |
Other: diabetes program
Comprehensive diabetes program (weekly to bimonthly CHW mHealth contact (phone, text) for 12-months and monthly diabetes group visits for 6-months)
Other: telehealth training and support for Community Health Workers
weekly 1-hour diabetes training and patient support for CHWs via telehealth i.e., ZOOM technology for the study duration
|
No Intervention: Control Receive usual care in the clinic, followed by group visits (wait list control) for cohorts 1-4 case-matched comparisons via chart review for cohort 5 |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Glycemic control [At baseline and every 6-months until study completion]
Hemoglobin A1c (%)
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Adherence to preventive care guidelines [pre/post diabetes group visits]
As measured by placement on a statin, annual urine micro albumin, target A1c, weight loss (if applicable), retinal eye examination, blood pressure targets, serum B12 measurements, vaccinations.
- Survey [at the beginning and end of each cohort (baseline, six-months)]
The survey totaled 12 questions and assessed participant satisfaction, mental relaxation, faith/spirituality, and open-ended comments. Questions were ranked as followed: 1-3 (4-point Likert Scale), 4-7 (10-point Likert Scale), 8-11 (open-ended, descriptive), 12 (days of exercise/week). The Use of Mental Stress Management/Relaxation Techniques questionnaire and our pilot study survey templates were used to evaluate patient group visit and CHW satisfaction. We defined acceptability as high (3.5-4/4 or 8-10/10), moderate (2-3.4/4 or 4-7/10), and low (1-1.9/4 or 1-3/10) and totaled the items to create an overall score.
- Diabetes-related health [at the beginning and end of each cohort (baseline, six-months)]
As measured by the Self Management Resource Center Surveys: Diabetes Medications (a 4-question yes/no survey to assess patient medication adherence and understanding of their medications), Self-rated Health (a 1-question ranked on a 5-point scale (1 is excellent, 5 is poor) to determine the patient's view of their health)
- Body Mass Index (BMI) [At baseline and every 6-month until study completion]
Body Mass Index (BMI) (weight in kg/height in m^2)
- Blood Pressure [At baseline and every 6-month until study completion]
Blood Pressure (mmHg)
- Barriers to care [weekly to bimonthly from baseline to 12-months]
We obtain barriers to care data from the CHW-patient mobile health (mHealth) records and chart review, and group into three categories: obtaining medications, appointment access, clinic eligibility. mHealth records were sent to the study physician through a secure, encrypted site on a weekly basis.
- longitudinal outcomes [from the time group visits end and as long as month-24 after]
conduct a chart review to determine long-term (until 24-months post group visits) clinical outcomes including blood pressure (mmHg)
- longitudinal outcomes [from the time group visits end and as long as month-24 after]
conduct a chart review to determine long-term (until 24-months post group visits) clinical outcomes including HbA1c (%)
- longitudinal outcomes [from the time group visits end and as long as month-24 after]
conduct a chart review to determine long-term (until 24-months post group visits) clinical outcomes including BMI (kg/m^2)
Other Outcome Measures
- Feasibility and acceptability of telehealth patient, clinician encounters during diabetes group visits [At six months after group visits for wait list control Cohort 2]
As measured by the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire(21-question survey where 1 is strongly disagree and 5 is strongly agree)
- Feasibility and acceptability of telehealth support for community health workers 2 [At baseline and six months during Cohort 1 intervention group]
The Diabetes Knowledge Test (University of Michigan, 2015; 23 questions; where a total score of 0 indicates the least and 23 indicates the most diabetes knowledge based on this test)
- Feasibility and acceptability of telemedicine support for community health workers [After each cohort (every six months)]
As measured by a six-month 4-question survey (four open-ended questions i.e., what CHWs liked, disliked, general comments) and a 10-question multiple choice posttest that covers content they were taught the last six months (Vaughan et al, 2018)
- Feasibility and acceptability of telemedicine support for community health workers [After Cohort 1]
As measured by the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire(21-question survey where 1 is strongly disagree and 5 is strongly agree)
- CHW knowledge [During Cohort 2 at baseline (TEST-1 pretest), 6- (TEST-1 posttest, TEST-2 pretest) and 12-months (TEST-2 posttest)]
As measured by pre- /post-tests. TEST-1 (n=21 questions) and TEST-2 (n=19 questions). Tests were multiple choice with 3-5 answer option and were original to this study.
- CHW knowledge [During the secondary study, at baseline and 6-months (pre/posttest)]
This will be accomplished by the 24-question Starr County Diabetes Knowledge Test, which has shown validity and reliability in English and Spanish. Each of the 24-question has three answer choices. This will be pre/posttest format.
- Access to care [from baseline to 12-months]
As measured by the amount of contact participants had with the clinic during the intervention
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Hispanic adults with diabetes, low-income (earn less than/equal to 250% federal poverty level)
Exclusion Criteria:
- not able to understand Spanish, group visit is not appropriate for care i.e., need individualized care, pregnancy, etc
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Baylor College of Medicine | Houston | Texas | United States | 77030 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Baylor College of Medicine
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Vaughan, DO, Baylor College of Medicine
Study Documents (Full-Text)
More Information
Publications
- Dias S, Gama A. [Community-based participatory research in public health: potentials and challenges]. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2014 Feb;35(2):150-4. Portuguese.
- Furino A. Community Health Worker National Workforce Study. Wasthington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007.
- Lujan J, Ostwald SK, Ortiz M. Promotora diabetes intervention for Mexican Americans. Diabetes Educ. 2007 Jul-Aug;33(4):660-70.
- Mbuagbaw L, Thabane L, Ongolo-Zogo P, Lang T. The challenges and opportunities of conducting a clinical trial in a low resource setting: the case of the Cameroon mobile phone SMS (CAMPS) trial, an investigator initiated trial. Trials. 2011 Jun 9;12:145. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-12-145.
- Norris SL, Chowdhury FM, Van Le K, Horsley T, Brownstein JN, Zhang X, Jack L Jr, Satterfield DW. Effectiveness of community health workers in the care of persons with diabetes. Diabet Med. 2006 May;23(5):544-56. Review.
- Peek ME, Cargill A, Huang ES. Diabetes health disparities: a systematic review of health care interventions. Med Care Res Rev. 2007 Oct;64(5 Suppl):101S-56S. Review.
- H-40322
- K23DK110341
- H-40322