The impact of a self-management educational program coordinated through WhatsApp on diabetes control

• Published in: Pharmacy practice : official journal of the GRIPP (Global Research Institute of Pharmacy Practice) 2020-04, Vol.18 (2), p.1841
• Main Authors: Al Omar, Muaed, Hasan, Sanah, Palaian, Subish, Mahameed, Shrouq
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Centered Care; Diabetes Mellitus; Glycated Hemoglobin A; Health Literacy; Non; non-randomized controlled trials as topic; Original Research; Patient; Patient Education as Topic; patient-centered care; Personal Satisfaction; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Self Care; Social Media; United Arab Emirates
• ISSN: 1885-642X; 1886-3655; 1886-3655
• DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2020.2.1841

Background: Social media can effectively mediate digital health interventions and thus, overcome barriers associated with face-to-face interaction. Objective: To assess the impact of patient-centered diabetes education program administered through WhatsApp on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, assess the correlation, if any, between health literacy and numeracy on intervention outcomes Methods: During an ‘intervention phase’ spread over six months, target diabetic patients (N=109) received structured education through WhatsApp as per the American Association of Diabetes Educators Self-Care Behaviors recommendations. The control group with an equal number of participants received ‘usual care’ provided by health professionals void of the social media intervention. Changes in HbA1c levels were recorded thrice (at baseline, 3 and 6 months) for the test group and twice (baseline and 6 months) for the control group. Change in HbA1c values were compared and statistical significance was defined at p