ROLE OF TELEMEDICINE IN SELF-MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN THE PHARMACOTHERAPY OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

The article presents an outcomes comparison after self-management education using telemedicine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and arterial hypertension. The “doctor–patient interaction” was described, and strategies of glycemic control and pharmacotherapy were evaluated. The study involved 115 patients with T2DM complicated by hypertension stratified into two groups. The results were compared between the main group of patients (Group I), who received self-management education and teleconsultations over 3 years, and the control group (Group II) receiving traditional (in-person) medical consultations. All patients in the main group were on hypoglycemic therapy. As a result of the training, metformin use in this group increased from 65.6% to 88.5% (p<0.001), while incretin use rose from 9.8% to 41.0% (p<0.001). The use of secretagogues decreased, although this reduction was not statistically significant. In the study, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in the main group decreased from 8.80% to 6.68%, while in the control group they decreased from 8.88% to 8.21%. In both cases, the changes were statistically significant (p<0.001), but the effect was more pronounced in the main group. These results demonstrate the feasibility of applying modern therapeutic approaches and highlight the effectiveness of selfmanagement education and digital tools in optimizing diabetes treatment.