Impact of Establishing a Communication Network of Family Physicians on Level of Hba1c and FBS in Patients With Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Diabetes could be especially difficult for females. The burden of diabetes on females is unique because the disease could affect both mothers and their unborn children. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the effect of developing a communication network among physicians on the level of HbA_1C and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) in patients with diabetes in Iran. Methods This study was a randomized clinical trial performed with 100 patients, who were randomly divided to experimental and control groups. The study was conducted from 20/11/2015 to 15/1/2016. A communication network was established among the physicians at health centers, to which patients in the intervention group were referred. The data were collected using a checklist of demographic information of patients. Laboratory results regarding the level of Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA_1C) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) of patients were gathered at baseline and 4 months after the establishment of the communication network. Results After the development of the communication network, HbA_1C levels had reduced from 8.14 ± 2.08 to 7.90 ± 2.01 in the intervention group (P < 0.001), while in the control group HbA_1C levels had increased from 8.98 ± 2.20 to 9.09 ± 2.21 (P < 0 .001). Conclusions The results showed that for successful control of diabetes, physicians need to communicate with each other and share information and experiences. Furthermore, establishing a communication network among physicians could be effective to control diabetes.