Telehealth as a strategy to reduce risk factors in prediabetic patients through interprofessional education in rural areas of La Vega. (Pilot study)

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent and incident chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs) in Colombia and worldwide, affecting how the body processes glucose, either due to decreased insulin production in the pancreas or due to the processing of insulin signals in peripheral tissues. According to data from the Colombian Ministry of Health in 2019, there are 1,294,940 people diagnosed with T2DM (1). Fifty-seven percent of the population with CNNDS was between the ages of 18 and 59. Twelve point three one percent were over 59 years of age (1). Risk factors include: overweight, obesity, family history of diabetes, gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, age over 45, high blood pressure, and high triglyceride levels (2) In addition, there are important lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing this disease, such as physical inactivity, a diet characterized by regular consumption of refined grains, red and processed meats, as well as sugary drinks, smoking, and frequent alcohol consumption.
(3). Diabetes is highly prevalent among older adults, with an estimated 19.3% of people aged 65-99 years affected internationally (4). It is the most common cause of kidney failure and blindness in this population and is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, disability, and death. Therefore, establishing active screening in asymptomatic adults allows for early detection of the natural history of this disease, which should be known by the entire healthcare team. Today, there are better opportunities to address the onset of this disease in urban areas than in rural areas, due to transportation, administrative, and economic barriers (5). In order to reduce this gap and contribute to the reduction of health inequalities, we recognize the need identified by the community in Vega del “Improving access to health services for rural areas and reducing red tape” and will use telehealth as a strategy and intervention tool in the provision of and access to rural areas, determining its feasibility and impact on the reduction of DM2.

Interprofessional Education in the Territory, Community-Oriented Primary Care, Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Telehealth

The research team undertakes to follow guidelines that ensure confidentiality during the execution of the protocol and after its completion. Informed consent forms will be safeguarded by the principal investigator in the format and manner specified for their final custody. For the confidential handling of information, each patient will be identified with a code (P-01) and the numbering will be done consecutively. This identification code will be used to label the informed consent form, the clinical data form, scales, and data collection instruments mentioned in Annexes 1, 3, and 6, and the pilot study.