Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 disrupted health care, causing a decline in the health of patients with chronic diseases and a need to reimagine diabetes care. With the advances in telehealth programs, there is a need to effectively implement programs that meet the needs of patients quickly.ObjectiveThe aim of this paper was to create a virtual boot camp program for patients with diabetes, in 3 months, from project conception to the enrollment of our first patients. Our goal is to provide practical strategies for rapidly launching an effective virtual program to improve diabetes care.MethodsA multidisciplinary team of physicians, dieticians, and educators, with support from the telehealth team, created a virtual program for patients with diabetes. The program combined online diabetes data tracking with weekly telehealth visits over a 12-week period.ResultsOver 100 patients have been enrolled in the virtual diabetes boot camp. Preliminary data show an improvement of diabetes in 75% (n=75) of the patients who completed the program. Four principles were identified and developed to reflect the quick design and launch.ConclusionsThe rapid launch of a virtual diabetes program is feasible. A coordinated, team-based, systematic approach will facilitate implementation and sustained adoption across a large multispecialty ambulatory health care organization.
Highlights
The COVID-19 crisis necessitated an abrupt adjustment to the delivery of outpatient care in order to protect vulnerable populations from avoidable exposure to the virus while providing continuity of care to patients with chronic health issues
Over 100 patients have been enrolled in the virtual diabetes boot camp
Preliminary data show an improvement of diabetes in 75% (n=75) of the patients who completed the program
Summary
The COVID-19 crisis necessitated an abrupt adjustment to the delivery of outpatient care in order to protect vulnerable populations from avoidable exposure to the virus while providing continuity of care to patients with chronic health issues. In response to COVID-19, UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center) Central Pennsylvania made an immediate pivot to deliver most ambulatory care via telehealth, resulting in a 1000% surge in telehealth use across all medical and surgical specialties in the early months of the pandemic. UPMC Central Pennsylvania established their telehealth program in 2013, when a telestroke initiative was launched. The telehealth department has since grown and is led by the chief medical information officer and supported by a director, analysts, clinical implementation consultants, and trainers. With the advances in telehealth programs, there is a need to effectively implement programs that meet the needs of patients quickly
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