New study finds that patients prefer to meet their doctors in person than consult online
New study finds that patients prefer to meet their doctors in person than consult online
Chennai, 18thJuly 2020: A recent study by the research team at Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre found that patients preferred to meet their doctors in person than consult them over telephone. The research was conducted to assess the effects of the lockdown on the adoption of new technologies and changes in diabetes in type 2 diabetes patients. Researchers spoke to patients from
Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) one of India’s largest tertiary care centers for diabetes, with a network of 48 diabetes centers across different regions. The study also found that despite the lockdown, the control of diabetes amongst patients actually increased during the past months.
The COVID-19 lockdown and associated restrictions have created a need for consultation of patients with chro nic conditions such as diabetes through telemedicine facilities. During the lockdown, telemedicine facilities at Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre were significantly ramped up to improve access to health care, quality of care, and clinical/psychosocial outcomes in people with diabetes. Researchers conducted a cross sectional, ob servational study via telephone interview to gauge the acceptance of the new technology and the overall diab etic health of patents during the lockdown. The research sample comprised a random list of 3,000 type 2 diab etic subjects who represents 10% of the 30,748 patients who had visited Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Ce ntre in the past year.
The study showed that while patients sought out medical consultation during the lockdown period, only a mar ginal number of patients preferred to consult their doctors through the telemedicine route; though effective, the overall acc eptance of telemedicine facilities remains suboptimal among patients. The study also found that despite all the hardships, the increased attention to health dur ing the lockdown had actually improved the con trol of diabetes. Patients rep orted an increase in self-monitoring of blood glucose and improvement in gly cemic control. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown have not adversely affected metabolic control in diabetic patients
Commenting on the findings, Dr. V .Mohan – Chairman and Chief Diabetologist of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialit ies Centre said, “The doctor-patient relationship in India is a trusted bond and patients tend to feel safer and co mforted when they meet doctors in-person. Besides, many patients here will opt to visit the same doctor for an ailment like diabetes and in many cases this is a lifelong relationship”.
Dr.R.M. Anjana, Managing Director, DMDSC added,“Doctors too are familiar with the habits and case history of all their regular patients – a crucial factor in ensuring the patient’s wellbeing. But in emergencies like these, grea ter accessibility and acceptance of technology could help patients maintain better contact with their physicians. This is important for both doctor and patient safety”.
About Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre:
Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre is a diabetes speciality chain founded in the year 1991 headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is India’s leading diabetes care provider offering comprehensive services for diabetes patients. Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centres now has more than 50 Diabetes centres and clinics in India and over 8 lakh diabetic patients have been treated at these centres. The centre specializes in Total Diabetes Ca re, Diabetes Eye Care, Diabetes Foot Care services, Diabetes Cardiac Care, Preventive Care, Diet counselling an d Precision Diabetes.
