Study helps pregnant women manage diabetes, treatment
August 18, 2005
by Calvin Cajigal
Contributing writer
The National Naval Medical Center's Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic and Georgetown University Medical Center are conducting a research study to see how pregnant women with diabetes manage their treatment.
Cherrel Christian at Georgetown University heads the study along with Dianne Bloom, who works in Bethesda's Obstetrics Clinic. Together, they have created a Web site to help pregnant moms with diabetes manage and communicate with their health care team.
Mothers visit the Web site, called "My Care Team," and are assigned an identifier. They download their blood-glucose meter. Once the blood-glucose information is filled out online, the mothers submit it to their provider. The results appear for the provider to review and they communicate back with the mothers about how their blood sugar control is and how adjustments can be made.
"[The Web site] allows the mom to send her information without coming in," Christian said. "For others, it will allow for the physician to see the blood-glucose-related problems and allow the patient to be contacted sooner."
Six mothers have enrolled since the study began in March. Bloom teaches a class for anyone who has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and it's a way to get mothers to take part in the study. Bloom said the Web site has been a great help in organizing and managing all of the mothers' needs.
"The old way used to be by phone twice a week with the patients giving their blood sugar and someone writing it down long hand," Bloom said. "Usually it was a 20-minute phone call for a single patient."
Though the study is only for pregnant women, the Web site also offers information and contacts to anyone who has any type of diabetes and might have questions or concerns.
"Diabetes is a condition that requires time and attention," Christian said. "The average office visit is relatively short and sometimes the patient doesn't think of a question until they get home."
Women are eligible for the study if they are: 18 years or older; pregnant and have type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes; are no more than 32 weeks pregnant at the time of enrollment; and tests their blood glucose regularly.
Those who are interested in taking part of the study should contact Christian at (202) 687-0321 or Bloom at (301) 319-5038.
http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/sease...h/36548-1.html
Study helps pregnant women manage diabetes, treatment
