This study will investigate the ability of 3 different methods to improve self-care in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. These 3 methods are; text-messaging, health coaches, and enhanced usual care. This study will take place in Mississippi and Tennessee.
The details
Previous research suggests that encouraging text messages from doctors’ offices and diabetes health coaches can help people with diabetes take better care of themselves. However, research examining these methods in patients with other medical conditions, with uncontrolled diabetes, and who live in areas with few primary care doctors, is limited. These patients may benefit the most from improved self-care.
This study will explore the effectiveness of text messages, health coaches, and enhanced usual care in African American patients with diabetes. The main outcome to be measured is changes in self-care habits.
Who are they looking for?
This study is looking to recruit 1000 African-American individuals with uncontrolled diabetes, and at least 1 other chronic medical condition. They must have a cell phone, or a smart phone. Patients must live in the Tennessee/Mississippi area.
Participants may not be pregnant. They may not have an unstable psychiatric condition or dementia. They can not have been diagnosed with severe depression in the last 6 months. They may not plan to move away from the area, or change primary care physicians, in the next year.
How will it work
400 participants will receive text messages, 400 will receive support from a health coach, and 200 will receive enhanced usual care. Usual care will be enhanced by patient-education materials, physician education, and support services for patients. Participants will be assigned to these groups randomly.
After 1 year self-care will be assessed. Self-care activities examined will include; smoking, diet, exercise, blood sugar testing, foot care, and taking medication. At this time quality of life, engagement with primary care, quality of primary care, and HbA1c levels, will also be examined.
