title: A preliminary study of a cloud-computing model for chronic illness self-care support in an underdeveloped country.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although interactive voice response (IVR) calls can be an effective tool for chronic disease management, many regions of the world lack the infrastructure to provide these services.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the feasibility and potential impact of an IVR program using a cloud-computing model to improve diabetes management in Honduras.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-group, pre-post study was conducted between June and August 2010. The telecommunications infrastructure was maintained on a U.S. server, and calls were directed to patients' cell phones using VoIP. Eighty-five diabetes patients in Honduras received weekly IVR disease management calls for 6 weeks, with automated follow-up e-mails to clinicians, and voicemail reports to family caregivers. Patients completed interviews at enrollment and a 6-week follow-up. Other measures included patients' glycemic control (HbA1c) and data from the IVR calling system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 53% of participants completed at least half of their IVR calls and 23% of participants completed 80% or more. Higher baseline blood pressures, greater diabetes burden, greater distance from the clinic, and better medication adherence were related to higher call completion rates. Nearly all participants (98%) reported that because of the program, they improved in aspects of diabetes management such as glycemic control (56%) or foot care (89%). Mean HbA1c's decreased from 10.0% at baseline to 8.9% at follow-up (p<0.01). Most participants (92%) said that if the service were available in their clinic they would use it again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cloud computing is a feasible strategy for providing IVR services globally. IVR self-care support may improve self-care and glycemic control for patients in underdeveloped countries.
authors.affiliation: Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48113, USA. jpiette@umich.edu
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Piette
authors.forename: Milton O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Avelares
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ganser
authors.forename: Muhima
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Nicolle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marinec
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishnan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D040421:Cell Phone; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003906:Developing Countries; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006721:Honduras; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013685:Telecommunications; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin