Promising start for dial-your-own care

A UNIQUE interactive type 2 diabetes telephone support system being trialled in Queensland may improve compliance with treatment and boost patient confidence, a researcher says.

Dr Dominique Bird, manager of the Australian TLC Diabetes Project run by Monash and Queensland universities, said the system used prerecorded information that participants could access at any time of the day or night, and a Bluetooth-enabled glucose monitor.

Developed by Boston University, an ‘Australianised’ version of the TLC (telephone-linked care) project is being trialled in a pilot study among 75 rural and remote Queenslanders.

Trials of earlier versions of the system in the US indicated improvements in patient satisfaction, physical activity, nutrition and medication-taking, with clinically measurable improvements in blood glucose control, Dr Bird said.

Testimonials from participants in a Brisbane study suggested that it was valuable in motivating people to stick to their healthy lifestyle programs.