Practical Telemedicine to Improve Control and Engagement for Veterans with Clinic-Refractory Diabetes Mellitus (PRACTICE-DM)

NIH RePORTER · VA · I01 · · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

This study will evaluate a comprehensive telemedicine intervention for Veterans with persistently poor diabetes control despite clinic-based Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care. Because this approach is designed for delivery via existing Home Telehealth (HT) services, which are ubiquitous throughout VHA, it may represent an effective, practical alternative for Veterans whose diabetes is refractory to clinic-based care. Although efforts by clinicians and researchers have improved diabetes control across VHA, Veterans with persistent poorly-controlled diabetes mellitus (PPDM) have not benefitted from these advances. We define PPDM as maintenance of a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥8.5% for >1 year, despite receiving clinic-based diabetes care during this period. Veterans meeting this definition – approximately 12% of all Veterans with type 2 diabetes – contribute disproportionately to VHA's burden of diabetes complications and costs. While clinic-based care is insufficiently effective in PPDM, telemedicine-based management that comprehensively addresses factors underlying poor diabetes control could improve outcomes for these high- risk Veterans. Unfortunately, healthcare systems have rarely integrated comprehensive telemedicine-based care into real-world practice, even for clinic-refractory conditions like PPDM. This gap stems from the fact that comprehensive telemedicine-based diabetes care has not previously been designed for practical delivery under real-world conditions. In order for telemedicine to fulfill its potential as a means to reduce the burden of PPDM, interventions must be developed with an emphasis on feasible delivery through existing workforce, infrastructure, and technical resources, such that effective implementation is eventually achievable. Until then, Veterans with PPDM will be left without alternatives when clinic-based care proves inadequate. The proposed trial will evaluate Practical Telemedicine to Improve Control and Engagement for Veterans with Clinic-Refractory Diabetes Mellitus (PRACTICE-DM), a novel, comprehensive telemedicine intervention for PPDM that is designed for practical delivery within VHA. The Specific Aims of this study are to: 1) determine PRACTICE-DM's effectiveness; 2) evaluate PRACTICE-DM's acceptability and mechanisms of effect using a mixed method process evaluation; and 3) understand costs associated with PRACTICE-DM. Two hundred Veterans with PPDM from two sites (Durham, NC and Richmond, VA) will be randomized to receive one of two HT-delivered interventions: 1) PRACTICE-DM, a comprehensive intervention combining telemonitoring, self-management support, diet/activity support, medication management, and depression support; or 2) an active control, standard HT care coordination and telemonitoring. Both interventions will be delivered over a 12-month period and all participants will continue to receive usual VHA care. The primary study outcome will be change in HbA1c from study baseline to 12 mont...

Key facts

NIH application ID
9706639
Project number
5I01HX002339-02
Recipient
DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
Principal Investigator
Matthew J. Crowley
Activity code
I01
Funding institute
VA
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
Award type
5
Project period
2018-06-01 → 2021-05-31