Impact of Establishing a Communication Network of Family Physicians on Level of Hba1c and 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 HbA(1C) and 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 (HbA(1C)) 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, HbA(1C) levels had reduced from 8.14 +/- 2.08 to 7.90 +/- 2.01 in the intervention group (P < 0.001), while in the control group HbA(1C) levels 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.