Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is prevalent among the US population; particularly type 2 diabetes. As the population ages, the number of adults 65 years of age or older with diabetes is increasing. Diabetes is also common among U.S. veterans. Approximately 25% of U.S. Department of VA patients have diabetes. Evidence demonstrated a prevalence of diabetes among older veterans. Innovative approaches to improve diabetes care and health outcomes for veterans are needed.

Aim: This quality improvement (QI) project examined the use of a unidirectional automated text message system (Annie) to improve self-management behaviors of veterans with Type 2 diabetes, as evidenced by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and self-reported behavior change.

Methods: Participants were selected from an outpatient VA clinic in Florida. Evidence-based diabetes self-management education was implemented in older veterans with Type 2 diabetes through Annie to improve self-management behaviors and reduce HbA1cs within 90 days. A pre- and postintervention Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities questionnaire determined if behaviors improved after evidence-based education. Baseline HbA1c data were compared to the postintervention data to determine if diabetes outcomes improved among older veterans who received diabetes education through Annie.

Results: Findings demonstrated clinical changes in diet and foot care, with statistical significance only seen in foot care. Although no statistically significant changes were observed in HbA1c points for this project, some clinically significant reductions were seen when comparing mean pre- and postintervention HbA1cs.

Conclusion: Results suggest that continued implementation of Annie among older veterans could improve Type 2 diabetes self-management and reduce HbA1c levels.

Author Details

Danielle Brunson, DNP, BSN, RN

Sigma Membership

Lambda Rho at-Large

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Text Messages, Type 2 Diabetes, Self-Management, Veterans, Technology, Hemoglobin A1C, Self-Care Behaviors, Older Ddults

Advisors

Kott, Kathryn

Advisor

Kathryn Kott

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Jacksonville University

Degree Year

2022

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2022-04-12

Full Text of Presentation

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