Short-Term Effects of an eHealth Care Experiential Learning Program Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with a significant medical burden. eHealth care integrates medicine and technology to enhance the outcomes of such patients; however, adequate eHealth literacy (eHL) is necessary for that to happen. Fostering eHL is crucial for patients with diabetes to engage with eHealth care and receive quality care and timely support. Experiential learning theory can enhance patients’ eHL and skills to use eHealth care technology in their daily care. Objective This study explored the effectiveness of an eHealth care experiential learning program in improving eHL, patient health engagement, and eHealth care use status among patients with type 2 diabetes in 3 months. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, patients under case management services from various clinics in Taiwan were randomly assigned to either the intervention group receiving the 6-session eHealth care experiential learning program or the control group receiving the usual care. Data were collected using structured questionnaires at 3 time points: pretest, postintervention, and 3 months after the intervention. Descriptive data were presented using frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and SD. The outcomes were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation method by intention-to-treat analysis. Results A total of 92 participants (46 in each group) were recruited in this study. Of these, 86 completed the course and follow-up evaluations with a mean age of 62.38 (SD 12.91) years. After completing the intervention, the intervention group had significantly higher posttest scores in eHL (β=19.94, SE 3.52; P<.001), patient health engagement (β=.28, SE 0.13; P=.04), and eHealth use (β=3.96, SE 0.42; P<.001) than the control group. Furthermore, the intervention group maintained these significant improvements in eHL (β=18.19, SE 3.82; P<.001) and eHealth use (β=3.87, SE 0.49; P<.001) after 3 months. Conclusions Participating in the eHealth care experiential learning program resulted in significant improvements in eHL, patient health engagement, and eHealth use among patients with type 2 diabetes. Our interventional program can inform future clinical practice and policies to strengthen self-management skills and facilitate the use of health technology in caring for patients with chronic diseases. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05180604; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05180604