Telehealth in a reference center in Diabetes Mellitus: a cross-sectional analysis

Objective: To analyze a telehealth tool of a reference center in Diabetes Mellitus from the caregivers’ perspective. Method: A cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, developed at a reference center in Diabetes Mellitus, with caregivers of children and adolescents who used the Hot-Line and responded to the online questionnaire, from November 2018 to February 2019. Results: The sample consisted of 90 participants, 76 (84.4%) were female, and the highest kinship was the maternal 68 (75.6%). Regarding the reasons for the telephone callings, 31 (34.4%) refer to general guidelines, 41 (45.6%) to the insulin dose adjustment, 6 (6.7%) to the acute hypoglycemia, 6 (6.7%) acute hyperglycemia, 2 (2.2%) to the days of disease and 4 (4.4%) refer to the test results. The participants presented a high level of satisfaction with the use of the telephone line. Conclusion and implications for practice: The call center produces immediate benefits to patients, being effective in the management of the disease. It should be emphasized that the use of telehealth as a form of health promotion contributes to the prevention of health problems in a fast, satisfactory way and without the displacement of the patient and his family.