Study protocol

DreamTel; Diabetes risk evaluation and management tele-monitoring study protocol

Sheldon W Tobe^1* , Joan Wentworth^2* , Laurie Ironstand^2* , Susan Hartman^2* , Jackie Hoppe^2* , Judi Whiting^3* , Janice Kennedy^2* , Colin McAllister^4* , Alex Kiss^5* , Nancy Perkins^1* , Lloyd Vincent^1* , George Pylypchuk^6* and Richard Z Lewanczuk^7*

¹  Division of Nephrology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

²  Battelford Tribal Council Health Services Inc. North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada

³  LiveWell Diabetes Program at Muskeg Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada

⁴  Perspect Management Consulting, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

⁵  Division of Statistical Design and Analysis, Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Canada

⁶  Division of Nephrology, St Paul's Hospital, University of Saskatoon, Saskatoon, Canada

⁷  Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

BMC Endocrine Disorders 2009, 9:13doi:10.1186/1472-6823-9-13

Published:	9 May 2009

Abstract

Background

The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes underlines the importance of secondary strategies for the prevention of target organ damage. While access to diabetes education centers and diabetes intensification management has been shown to improve blood glucose control, these services are not available to all that require them, particularly in rural and northern areas. The provision of these services through the Home Care team is an advance that can overcome these barriers. Transfer of blood glucose data electronically from the home to the health care provider may improve diabetes management.

Methods and design

The study population will consist of patients with type 2 diabetes with uncontrolled A1c levels living on reserve in the Battlefords region of Saskatchewan, Canada. This pilot study will take place over three phases. In the first phase over three months the impact of the introduction of the Bluetooth enabled glucose monitor will be assessed. In the second phase over three months, the development of guidelines based treatment algorithms for diabetes intensification will be completed. In the third phase lasting 18 months, study subjects will have diabetes intensification according to the algorithms developed.

Discussion

The first phase will determine if the use of the Bluetooth enabled blood glucose devices which can transmit results electronically will lead to changes in A1c levels. It will also determine the feasibility of recruiting subjects to use this technology. The rest of the Diabetes Risk Evaluation and Management Tele-monitoring (DreamTel) study will determine if the delivery of a diabetes intensification management program by the Home Care team supported by the Bluetooth enabled glucose meters leads to improvements in diabetes management.

Trial Registration

Protocol NCT00325624