Translating the hemoglobin A1C with more easily understood feedback: a randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Diabetes Management
• Health Communication

Background:

• Patient understanding of hemoglobin A1C (A1C) for glycemic control is often poor.
• Effective communication is crucial for managing diabetes.
• Previous studies highlight the importance of glycemic control in diabetes care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two novel communication formats for A1C on glycemic control.
• To assess if visual representations (letter grades, faces) improve patient understanding and diabetes management compared to standard A1C values.
• To investigate changes in patient perceptions of glycemic control.

Main Methods:

• 177 patients with poorly controlled diabetes were randomized into three groups.
• Group 1 received a 'diabetes report card' with letter grades (A-F).
• Group 2 received a 'report card' with a face reflecting glycemic control; Group 3 received standard A1C values.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in the change in A1C at 6 months were observed between the groups.
• The average A1C was 9.9%, with no significant variation across study arms.
• Experimental feedback formats did not lead to statistically significant improvements in glycemic control or patient perceptions.

Conclusions:

• Communicating A1C via letter grades or emotional faces did not significantly improve glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled diabetes.
• Current communication strategies require further development to effectively enhance patient understanding and impact diabetes outcomes.
• Novel approaches to patient education and feedback are necessary for better disease management.