IDF21-0175 Experiences of delivering virtual education workshops for children with type 1 diabetes during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Diabetes education is an essential element to achieve treatment objectives in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and it often involves group educations. Due to government group gathering restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, face-to-face group education were not possible. An alternative means of delivering group education is needed in this special time. With that, a series of virtual education workshops were designed. Aim: The study aimed to review the experience in conducting virtual education workshops for children and families with T1D during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method: The virtual workshops consisted of warm-up and ice-breaking games led by play therapists, followed by diabetes-related education workshops conducted by diabetes nurses, paediatric endocrinologists, and dietitians. Patients and families were invited to fill in a standard feedback questionnaire afterwards. Results: In the period of July 2020 to June 2021, a total of 10 virtual workshops were organised. A total of 33 children (13 boys and 20 girls) attended the workshops. The mean age of these patients was 9.5 +/- 3.8 years and the duration of T1D was 4.0 +/-3.3 years. Their mean HbA1c were 8.2 +/- 1.5%. A total of 22 responses on the feedback questionnaires were received. Among those who responded, 68% respondents had attended the virtual workshops for more than 2 times. The majority (86%) agreed that they had acquired new diabetes related knowledge from the workshops and 86% found the workshops interesting and enjoyable. Most (95%) reported that they could listen to instruction clearly and communicate causally in the virtual workshops. Only 32% strongly agreed that virtual workshops were the same as face-to-face workshops and 27% reported that they would prefer zoom to face-to-face workshop in the future. The commonest reasons for not joining virtual workshop in the future included unstable internet connection and feeling uneasy in virtual environment. Discussion: A safe, socially distanced method of delivering group education for children and families with T1D during the pandemic was possible and well-received. Virtual education workshops could be an alternative tool in delivering diabetes education. However, this could not totally replace face-to-face therapy.