The impact of sharing personalised clinical information with people with type 2 diabetes prior to their consultation: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

Abstract

AIM: To assess the impact of sharing personalised clinical information with people with type 2 diabetes prior to their out-patient consultation on patient involvement during the consultation, diabetes self-management self-efficacy and glycaemic control. METHODS: A pilot three-arm randomised controlled trial. The 'intervention booklet' group received a booklet including personalised clinical information, a 'general information booklet' control group received a booklet with no personalised clinical information and a 'usual care' control group received no written information. RESULTS: 136 people took part. The intervention group were significantly more likely to have shown the booklet to a 'significant other', (48% V 23%, p<0.05), brought the booklet with them to the clinic (85% V 35%, p<0.005) and to refer to the booklet during the consultation (45% V 13%, p<0.005). No significant differences in patient involvement during the consultation, diabetes management self-efficacy or glycaemic control were found between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although participants found it useful to receive their clinical results, no differences were found in the patient outcomes measured. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further pilot work on the timing of the intervention, who it is targeted at and what outcomes are measured is warranted before proceeding to a full-scale RCT.