Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

The projected increase of the number of patients with diabetes and challenges encountered by primary health care leads to an increased need for patients to improve self-care. This requires that patients have to look after their daily activities, such as diet, for improved health and wellbeing. In addition, support groups were shown to improve health care for older diabetic patients. However, this study did not include the use of technology such as telehealth. Telehealth networks may include instant messenger as it is a means of communication over the internet. Research questions were thus: Can telehealth, such as WhatsApp instant messenger, be used by support groups to improve self-care for older patients with diabetes? What are the challenges for implementing this form of telehealth? The research questions prompted qualitative research because it is more appropriate for the understanding of social and cultural contexts. A case study was done utilising two support groups in Mitchells Plain and Western Cape and were examined in its natural setting. Primary data was obtained from surveys and interviews thus employing multiple methods of data collection to gather information from one or a few entities. Instant messenger, such as WhatsApp, can enable patients to obtain information about activities, such as diet, from support groups. This can in turn lead to improved self-care. However, it was found that not all patients at support groups� could access WhatApp, due to the lack of a smart phone or lacking the e-skills to use it. WhatsApp can be used in conjunction to regular support group meetings in order to improve self-care for older patients with diabetes but not as a replacement thereof. Further research is required in order to find ways of increasing the use of instant messenger such as WhatsApp as a form of telehealth.

Biography

Email: fazlyn.petersen@gmail.com