Use and Perception of Telemedicine in People with Type 1 Diabetes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A 1-Year Follow-Up.

Background: In the spring of 2020, our research group circulated a worldwide survey with the aim of gathering information on the use and perception of telemedicine in people living with type 1 diabetes at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data suggested that a large number of respondents had rapidly adopted to telemedicine, as in-person visits were not possible, and that this was perceived positively by many. In this study, we conducted a 1-year follow-up to investigate changes in opinions and experiences to telemedicine over the past year of the pandemic. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed through social media (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) between May 9 and May 15, 2021, using an open-access web-based platform (SurveyMonkey.com). The survey was identical to that used in the original study, covering questions relating to the use and perception of telemedicine, diabetes treatment and control, and medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was available in English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian. We compared the results from the two surveys descriptively and statistically, results were stratified according to age, gender, and HbA1c. Results: There were 531 survey responses from 40 countries (Europe 54%, North America 36%, South America 2%, and Africa and Asia 2%). A large percentage of respondents (67%) reported meeting with their health care provider remotely since the beginning of the pandemic, a significant increase compared with the 28% in the 2020 survey (P < 0.001). Eighty-three percent of respondents found remote appointments to be somewhat-to-extremely useful, similar to the 86% satisfaction rate in the previous survey (P = 0.061). Remote appointments were most frequently undertaken through telephone (50%) and video call (45%), which are significant changes compared with those in 2020 (72% and 28%, respectively, P < 0.001). Forty-five percent of respondents in 2021 were likely to consider remote appointments instead of in-person appointments in the future-being significantly lower than the 75% in the initial survey (P < 0.001)-whereas 37% indicated they would not. The majority of respondents (84%) reported no issues in their access to diabetes supplies and medication over the past year. Conclusions: This study showed that the use of telemedicine in the form of remote appointments increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in people living with type 1 diabetes, with high levels of satisfaction. However, a remarkable decline took place in the past year in the proportion of patients stating a willingness to continue with remote appointments beyond the pandemic. It seems that a personalized approach is needed since a substantial proportion of respondents in this follow-up still indicated a preference for in-person diabetes care, hence the use of telemedicine should be considered on an individual basis.

Use and perception of telemedicine in people with type 1 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic-Results of a global survey.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced rapid reconsideration as to the way in which health care is delivered. One potential means to provide care while avoiding unnecessary person-to-person contact is to offer remote services (telemedicine). This study aimed to (1) gather real-time information on the use and perception of telemedicine in people living with type 1 diabetes and (2) assess the challenges, such as restricted access to health care and/or medical supplies. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was widely distributed between 24 March and 5 May 2020 using an open-access web-based platform. Data were analysed descriptively, and results were stratified according to age, sex and HbA1c. Results: There were 7477 survey responses from individuals in 89 countries. Globally, 30% reported that the pandemic had affected their healthcare access due to cancelled physical appointments with their healthcare providers. Thirty-two per cent reported no fundamental change in their medical follow-up during this period, with 9% stating that no personal contact was established with their doctors over the duration of the study. Twenty-eight per cent received remote care through telephone (72%) or video-calls (28%). Of these, 86% found remote appointments useful and 75% plan to have remote appointments in the future. Glucose control, indicated by HbA1c, was positively associated with positive perception of telemedicine. In males, 45% of respondents with an HbA1c > 9% rated telemedicine not useful compared to those with lower HbA1c, while 20% of females with an HbA1c > 9% rated it not useful (χ2 = 14.2, P = .0016). Conclusion: Remote appointments have largely been perceived as positive in people with type 1 diabetes with the majority (75%) stating that they would consider remote appointments beyond the pandemic. Age and level of education do not appear to influence perception of telemedicine, whereas poor glucose control, particularly in males, seems to negatively affect perception.