October 3, 2025

Metabolic, self-care and mental health characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes in a hybrid (face-to-face and virtual) comprehensive care program.

Key Points

Patients with type 2 diabetes showed improved metabolic control and mental health over two years in a hybrid care program.
At 3 months, significant improvement was noted in exercise time, while a notable increase in self-care activities was observed at all follow-ups.
This study utilized a longitudinal observational approach to assess baseline and follow-up data over a two-year period.
The findings highlight the potential benefits of hybrid care models for managing metabolic health and enhancing patient self-care.
simple_explanation: The study focuses on how patients with type 2 diabetes improved their health using a hybrid care program that included both in-person and virtual visits. Over two years, patients enhanced their metabolic health, worked on self-care like checking blood sugar, and reported better mental health. This shows that combining face-to-face and virtual care can help people manage diabetes effectively. 🩺
methodologies: [

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic confinement, virtual care strategies were implemented for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). During the recovery process, hybrid care schemes (combining in-person and virtual care) continued, with limited information available on the results. This study aims to describe the metabolic parameters, lifestyle, self-care behaviors, and mental health of patients treated in the hybrid comprehensive care program. This is a descriptive and longitudinal observational study in patients with T2D who attended the hybrid comprehensive care program, comprising baseline (face-to-face), 3-month follow-up (face-to-face), 1-year follow-up (virtual), and 2-year follow-up (face-to-face). Metabolic and mental health variables were obtained (presence of anxiety, affective and eating disorders, quality of life questionnaires, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for depression and anxiety, problem areas in diabetes, and empowerment) as well as self-care variables: calories consumed, exercise time, self-monitoring blood glucose, and foot checks. Data from 104 patients were analyzed from October 2018 to November 2022, with a mean age of 55 (48-61) years, a female predominance of 49%, and a time since diagnosis of T2D of 2 (0-3) years. Metabolic parameters improved at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years of follow-up. In self-care behaviors, the differences in minutes per week of exercise increased (baseline: 0 (0-180), 3 months: 175 (60-330), 1 year: 0 (0-150), and at 2 years: 90 (0-195); p < 0.0001). In self-care activities, we observed an increase in the proportion of patients who checked their feet and performed glucose self-monitoring (p < 0.001). A good quality of life, without distress and empowerment, has also improved. During a comprehensive care hybrid program, patients could maintain metabolic control goals, engage in self-care behaviors, mainly foot care and glucose self-monitoring, and improve their mental health parameters.

Metabolic, self-care and mental health characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes in a hybrid (face-to-face and virtual) comprehensive care program.

Key Points

Abstract

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