Impact of establishing a communication network of family physicians on level of Hba1cand FBS in patients with diabetes: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Diabetes could be especially difficult for females. The burden of diabetes on females is unique because the disease could affect both mothers and their unborn children. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of developing a communication network among physicians on the level of HbA1Cand Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) in patients with diabetes in Iran. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial performed with 100 patients, who were randomly divided to experimental and control groups. The study was conducted from 20/11/2015 to 15/1/2016. A communication network was established among the physicians at health centers, to which patients in the intervention group were referred. The data were collected using a checklist of demographic information of patients. Laboratory results regarding the level of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1C) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) of patients were gathered at baseline and 4 months after the establishment of the communication network. Results: After the development of the communication network, HbA1Clevels had reduced from 8.14-2.08 to 7.90-2.01 in the intervention group (P < 0.001), while in the control group HbA1Clevels had increased from 8.98-2.20 to 9.09-2.21 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results showed that for successful control of diabetes, physicians need to communicate with each other and share information and experiences. Furthermore, establishing a communication network among physicians could be effective to control diabetes.