title: Community-based tele-health systems for persons with diabetes: development of an outcomes model.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to obtain information on the perceptions of persons with diabetes regarding participation in a tele-health program. We conducted three focus groups among diabetics who had used a monitoring and messaging device (MMD), a commonly used tele-health care system. Analysis involved open and axial coding to identify major themes and relationships. Results suggest that these systems enhance communication, care-manager relationships, self-discipline, and clinical follow-up. The results suggest mechanisms by which tele-health systems influence the health care system and point to areas for further tele-health development.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. faithhopp@wayne.edu
authors.forename: Faith P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Hopp
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hogan
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010465:Perception; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*