Assessment of the Cost-Effectiveness of Telemedicine Care for Patients with Uncontrolled type 2 Diabetes Mellitus during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Makkah Al-Mokarramah, Saudi Arabia 2022
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Abstract
Background:
Routine diabetes care changed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to precautionary measures such as lockdowns, cancellation of in-person visits, and patients’ fear of being infected when attending clinics. Because of the pandemic, virtual clinics were implemented to provide diabetes care. However, much of the literature published focuses on the effects of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients, with few publications providing information and advice to those caring for people with diabetes in the primary care setting. Therefore, we conducted this study to assess of the Cost-effectiveness of telemedicine care for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic (DM). While telemedicine has several advantages, such as accessibility and cost-effectiveness, its diagnostic reliability should be further investigated. The Saudi Vision (2030) has drawn up a roadmap to invest in digital healthcare during the coming decade. Aim of the study: To assessment of the Cost-effectiveness of telemedicine care for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic in Makkah Al-Mokarramah, Saudi Arabia 2022.
Method: cross sectional descriptive study conducted about telemedicine care intervention, the study consisted namely a telemedicine care model and a traditional care model. Our total participants were (107) patients with type 2 DM attending a virtual integrated care clinic at a chronic Illness center in a family and community medicine department in in Makkah Al-Mokarramah, Saudi Arabia 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinical effectiveness (i.e. reduction in HbA1c) and the total cost were determined, and the incremental cost-effectiveness.
Results: the Sources of information about telemedicine care the majority of participant from Mass media were(31.8%), while Medical education in health centres and hospitals were (20.6%) , regarding the The Comorbidities of type 2 diabetes the majority of participant Hypertension were(26.2%), followed by Cardiovascular disease were (19.0%) while Chronic kidney disease were (18.7%).
Conclusion: Previous research's found the simplicity of our Diabetes Telemedicine Clinic protocol and the high satisfaction reported by patients and HCPs make it a suitable model to be adopted by clinics, especially during pandemics or disasters in resource-limited settings.