• J Am Board Fam Med · Mar 2024

    The Role of Telehealth in Improving Care Connections and Outcomes for Community Health Center Patients with Diabetes.

    • Jodi Simon, Alice Eggleston, Dana Bright, Patrick Driscoll, Jennifer Morrison, Ta-Yun Yang, and David T Liss.
    • From the AllianceChicago, Chicago, IL (JS, AE, DB, PD, DTL, T-YY, JM); RUSH University Medical Center, Chicago, IL (PD); AllianceChicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Chicago, IL (DTL). jsimon@alliancechicago.org.
    • J Am Board Fam Med. 2024 Mar 1; 37 (2): 206214206-214.

    IntroductionDoes telehealth decrease health disparities by improving connections to care or simply result in new barriers for vulnerable populations who often lack access to technology? This study aims to better understand the role of telehealth and social determinants of health in improving care connections and outcomes for Community Health Center patients with diabetes.MethodsThis retrospective analysis of Electronic Health Record (EHR) data examined the relationship between telehealth utilization and glycemic control and consistency of connection to the health care team ("connectivity"). EHR data were collected from 20 Community Health Centers from July 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and multivariable linear regression was used to assess the associations between telehealth use and engagement in care and glycemic control.ResultsThe adjusted analysis found positive, statistically significant associations between telehealth use and each of the 2 primary outcomes. Telehealth use was associated with 0.89 additional months of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) control (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 1.04) and 4.49 additional months of connection to care (95% CI, 4.27 to 4.70).DiscussionThe demonstrated increased engagement in primary care for telehealth users is significant and encouraging as Community Health Center populations are at greater risk of lapses in care and loss to follow up.ConclusionsTelehealth can be a highly effective, patient-centered form of care for people with diabetes. Telehealth can play a critical role in keeping vulnerable patients with diabetes connected to their care team and involved in care and may be an important tool for reducing health disparities.© Copyright 2024 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

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