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A Pilot Project to Assess the Impact of Diabetes Education During Ophthalmology Visits

Completed
Conditions
Diabetes Complications
Diabetic Retinopathy
Interventions
Behavioral: iPad app
Behavioral: Educator sessions
Behavioral: Retinal photos
Registration Number
NCT02334137
Lead Sponsor
California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute
Brief Summary

The overarching purpose of this project is to provide diabetes education to the diverse patient population at the Lions Eye Clinic, a resident-run ophthalmology practice at California Pacific Medical Center. Because of high clinic volume in a teaching environment, our patients often experience long wait times. The goal of this program is to utilize this wait time for diabetes education, a much-needed corollary to the eye care that patients receive at our clinic.

This pilot project will investigate the impact of a program like this in our patient population. Specifically, the investigators are investigating whether diabetes education delivered in an ophthalmology setting enhances patient understanding of diabetes (via knowledge surveys) and/or leads to improved blood glucose control (via hemoglobin A1c). This is a 6-month study that runs through April 2015, and looks at the impact of an interactive diabetes education iPad app +/- in-person sessions with a diabetes educator. A subset of patients who meet with a diabetes educator will also be shown their own retinal images (compared to a normal retina).

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
36
Inclusion Criteria
  • Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes (as defined by evident systemic findings OR recent hemoglobin A1c OR patient report, as specific blood sugar data and knowledge of particular medications are often limited in this population)
  • Age 18-75
  • Able and willing to provide informed consent
  • Speak English, Spanish, or any other language for which a translator is present
Exclusion Criteria
  • Advanced visual acuity loss in both eyes which prevents adequate use of educational tools
  • Pregnant women, elderly patients (>75 years old), children and adolescents (17 or younger)
  • Non-English/Spanish speakers for whom a translator is not present

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Educator sessions + retinal photosRetinal photosThis group will have same access as "iPad app + education sessions" and in addition will be able to briefly review their own retinal photos (compared to normal retina) with a resident ophthalmologist during timeline of pilot program.
Educator sessionsEducator sessionsThis group will have unlimited access to educational iPad app AND at least one appointment with a certified diabetes educator or registered dietitian while waiting for ophthalmology visits.
Educator sessions + retinal photosiPad appThis group will have same access as "iPad app + education sessions" and in addition will be able to briefly review their own retinal photos (compared to normal retina) with a resident ophthalmologist during timeline of pilot program.
iPad appiPad appThis group will have unlimited access to educational iPad app while waiting for ophthalmology visits.
Educator sessions + retinal photosEducator sessionsThis group will have same access as "iPad app + education sessions" and in addition will be able to briefly review their own retinal photos (compared to normal retina) with a resident ophthalmologist during timeline of pilot program.
Educator sessionsiPad appThis group will have unlimited access to educational iPad app AND at least one appointment with a certified diabetes educator or registered dietitian while waiting for ophthalmology visits.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from Baseline in Patient Knowledge about Diabetes at 3 months (via multiple-choice surveys)Participants will be re-surveyed at their next follow-up eye appointment, an expected average of 3 months post-intervention

Objective assessment of patient knowledge about diabetes using 13 multiple-choice questions

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from Baseline Hemoglobin A1c at 3 monthsParticipants will have repeat lab drawn at their next follow-up eye appointment, an expected average of 3 months post-intervention

Provides estimate of patient's average blood sugar over past three months

Patient Satisfaction / Motivation / Subjective Improvement in Knowledge (brief surveys)1 day

Brief 3-4 question surveys to assess patient satisfaction with services offered, motivation to manage their disease process, and subjective improvement in knowledge after using educational services

Change from Baseline in Patient Knowledge about Diabetes Immediately after using Educational Services (via multiple-choice surveys)1 day

Objective assessment of patient knowledge about diabetes using 13 multiple-choice questions

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