### Abstract **Background:** Telehealth has the potential to improve access to healthcare and provide continuous care for patients with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes (T2D). We developed a patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic to provide comprehensive diabetes management services to T2D patients. The clinic included a team of providers, nurses, nutritionists, and pharmacists who worked together to provide individualized care plans. **Objective:** To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic for T2D patients. **Methods:** We conducted a pilot study of a patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic for T2D patients. The study included 50 patients who were enrolled in the clinic for 12 months. Patients received a variety of telehealth services, including video visits, phone calls, and secure messaging. We collected data on patient satisfaction, utilization, and clinical outcomes. **Results:** The patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic was feasible and acceptable to T2D patients. Patients were satisfied with the clinic and found it easy to use. The clinic led to an increase in the utilization of diabetes care services and improvements in clinical outcomes. **Conclusions:** A patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic is a feasible and acceptable way to provide comprehensive diabetes management services to T2D patients. The clinic can improve access to care, increase utilization of services, and improve clinical outcomes. ### Introduction Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the most common type of diabetes, and it is characterized by high blood sugar levels. T2D can lead to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness. Traditional diabetes care involves regular visits to a doctor’s office. However, these visits can be time-consuming and expensive, and they can be difficult for patients to fit into their busy schedules. Telehealth is a promising new way to provide diabetes care. Telehealth uses technology to deliver healthcare services remotely. This can make it easier for patients to access care, and it can also be more convenient and affordable than traditional in-person visits. There are a number of different types of telehealth services, including video visits, phone calls, and secure messaging. Telehealth services can be used to provide a variety of diabetes care services, including medication management, nutrition counseling, and diabetes education. ### Methods We conducted a pilot study of a patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic for T2D patients. The study was conducted at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. The clinic was staffed by a team of providers, nurses, nutritionists, and pharmacists who worked together to provide individualized care plans. Patients were enrolled in the clinic for 12 months. During this time, they received a variety of telehealth services, including video visits, phone calls, and secure messaging. We collected data on patient satisfaction, utilization, and clinical outcomes. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a survey. Utilization was assessed by tracking the number of telehealth visits, phone calls, and secure messages that patients received. Clinical outcomes were assessed by measuring patients’ blood sugar levels, A1C levels, and blood pressure. ### Results The patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic was feasible and acceptable to T2D patients. Patients were satisfied with the clinic and found it easy to use. The clinic led to an increase in the utilization of diabetes care services and improvements in clinical outcomes. Patient satisfaction was high. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, patients rated their satisfaction with the clinic as 4.8. Patients found the clinic easy to use. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the easiest, patients rated the ease of use as 4.7. The clinic led to an increase in the utilization of diabetes care services. The average number of telehealth visits per patient increased from 1.2 per year to 2.6 per year. The average number of phone calls per patient increased from 0.8 per year to 1.5 per year. The average number of secure messages per patient increased from 0.5 per year to 1.2 per year. The clinic led to improvements in clinical outcomes. The average blood sugar level decreased from 160 mg/dL to 145 mg/dL. The average A1C level decreased from 8.5% to 7.9%. The average blood pressure decreased from 135/85 mmHg to 125/80 mmHg. ### Conclusions A patient-centered telehealth continuity clinic is a feasible and acceptable way to provide comprehensive diabetes management services to T2D patients. The clinic can improve access to care, increase utilization of services, and improve clinical outcomes. ### Conflict of Interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest..
Methodology and Pilot Results of a Patient-Centered Telehealth Continuity Clinic for T2D Patients
