Abstract
The purpose of this study was to obtain information on the perceptions of persons with diabetes regarding participation in a tele-health program. We conducted three focus groups among diabetics who had used a monitoring and messaging device (MMD), a commonly used tele-health care system. Analysis involved open and axial coding to identify major themes and relationships. Results suggest that these systems enhance communication, care-manager relationships, self-discipline, and clinical follow-up. The results suggest mechanisms by which tele-health systems influence the health care system and point to areas for further tele-health development.
Research and salary support was provided by Health Services Research and Development Quality Enhancement Research Initiative Grant #QLP 41–503. Partial salary support for Dr. Hopp during the manuscript preparation phase was provided by the John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars Program. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of these organizations.