Acceptance of the Istel Care Telehealth System by Women with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) in Routine Care in Poland

Currently, telehealth, which encompasses digital tools such as video communication, mobile applications, and remote monitoring, enables professional remote education and medical care. This study aimed to assess the acceptance of telehealth care by women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in routine care based on data from the Istel Care system.

This retrospective, multicenter observational study included 62 patients from three clinical centers: 44 from Krakow, 10 from Rzeszow, and 8 from Zabrze. Patients who consented to participate in the research and conduct home measurements as recommended received a glucometer, a blood pressure monitor, a scale, and a mobile application integrated with the telemedicine Istel Care System. Only the first visit was face-to-face, and the rest were online. After the study, patients completed a satisfaction questionnaire using the Istel Care System.

Of the 62 participants, 58 completed the study, and 50 responded to the follow-up survey. Satisfaction was high across several areas, including convenience (8.7 ± 2.5), accessibility (9.0 ± 2.3), and ease of interpreting results (9.3 ± 1.7). Patients used the system 5-7 times daily, most often seeking information on gestational diabetes and dietary advice. The most valued feature was the ability to easily share measurements with their doctor (89.8%), while 76.9% reported improved communication with their healthcare provider. Reported challenges included technological barriers (45.7%) and concerns about data security (21.6%). Suggested improvements included measurement reminders and real-time feedback from professionals. Overall, the system was positively received, enhancing patient control and motivation for lifestyle changes.

The Istel Care telehealth system was well accepted and feasible for women with GDM in routine care, supporting effective communication and patient self-management.These findings encourage further evaluation of telehealth solutions in diabetes care under routine clinical conditions.