TELEMEDICINE UTILIZATION ON THE WELL-BEING OF DIABETIC PATIENTS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study focused on telemedicine utilization on the well-being of diabetic patients in Nairobi City County, Kenya to determine its impact on diabetic patients. Telemedicine-based care provides remote health and social care to maintain people's autonomy and increase their quality of life. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of telediagnosis utilization on the well-being of diabetic patients, establish the impact of teletreatment utilization on the well-being of diabetic patients, determine whether teleadvice utilization influences the well-being of diabetic patients and examine the effect of telemonitoring utilization on the well-being of diabetic patients. Nairobi has a doctor-patient ratio of 9.5 per 10,000 inadequate to efficiently deliver quality healthcare to diabetic patients and the population at large. Nairobi County faces severe shortages of essential cadres, skill-mix imbalance among other challenges of which telemedicine can be a remedy. The study was anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation and Self-determination theories. The pilot study was conducted at one of the Penda Health clinic branches. The study used a descriptive research design to gain more insight into diabetes mellitus to attempt to ascertain telemedicine gains in diabetic patients. The target population was 100 men and women. Using Krejcie & Morgan (1970) table of sample determination, the research recruited 71 respondents from Nairobi County, 57 for the survey, 14 key informants, and 2 focus group discussions. Proportionate sampling allowed the researcher to work with 59 respondents. A letter of introduction was sought from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) as a permit to conduct the study. Similarly, an introduction letter was obtained from Kisii University to relevant administrative offices to explain the objectives of the study. Recurring patterns from raw information from collected qualitative data were looked at then topics formed, coded, and rearranged according to themes, after which a final report was written. Data analysis for this study also involved data preparation on an excel spreadsheet for quantitative data, which were logged in. Data then was checked for accuracy and then transformed after which descriptive statistics were used to describe the basic features of the data in the study. The results were presented in summary reports and tables. The study established that smartphones were the most popular devices used during telemedicine due to its reliability and that doctor mainly rely on the patient’s verbalization during telediagnosis. The study also found out that challenges related to power and internet challenges push patients to opt for face to face visits with their caregivers. The study also established little attention is given on adherence and checks on other conditions and organs related to diabetes by teleadvice programmes. The study also established that though telemonitoring allows respondents to stay better connected to their healthcare providers, some clients are unable to operate their devices during sessions. The study recommends thatmore information and education on telemedicine as a treatment option is given and training on the use of devices especially among those not techno-savvy. The study concludes that country facilities lack advanced telemedicine facilities and that the high cost of devices is a barrier to telemedicine utilization. Other setbacks of telemedicine usage include unreliable power and internet availability and lack of technology knowledge. For further research, it is recommended that another study can be done to assess the relationship between telemedicine sensitization and the well-being among diabetic patients in other countries.