Virtual Consultations Prove as Effective as In-Person Care for Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes

New study highlights the effectiveness of remote care while exposing gaps for safety and equity

A major study by our Digital Health theme, published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that virtual consultations provide comparable clinical outcomes to in-person care, with no significant difference in blood sugar control (HbA1c) in people with type 2 diabetes. The systematic review and meta-analyses included data from over 821,000 patients across 15 studies, providing the most comprehensive evaluation on this subject to date.

Furthermore, virtual consultations were comparable with face-to-face care in what concerns efficiency, patient-centeredness, and timeliness, with improvements in accessibility and patient satisfaction

Our analysis of 15 studies (involving 821,014 individuals with type 2 diabetes) found that virtual consultations (VCs) are comparable to face-to-face care in terms of patient-centeredness and timeliness, while also enhancing accessibility and patient satisfaction.

Transforming Access and Efficiency

• • • High patient satisfaction: 83% of patients rated VCs as helpful and convenient, with 76% saying they improved diabetes management.

    • Timelier care: In one study, virtual consultations cut the average time to a first appointment from 106 days to 46 days; another reported a reduction of waiting times in 23% of the cases.

    • Lower costs: Some improvements on efficiency were noted, including a reduction of treatment cost and lower number of appointments.

How safe are virtual consultations for persons with type 2 diabetes?

Out of the 15 studies, three partially assessed the safety of virtual consultations, with mixed outcomes on patient safety and risk management. The study also highlighted safety concerns, as virtual consultations cannot fully replace physical examinations for issues like foot ulcers and cardiovascular assessments in people with type 2 diabetes.

Lead author Reham Aldakhil of Imperial College London warned: "While virtual consultations have become a common avenue of care, particularly among younger and technologically literate populations, they risk exacerbating health inequities if the challenges faced by older and less digitally literate individuals are not adequately addressed."

The Digital Divide: Who Is Left Behind?

While younger, digitally literate patients benefited the most from virtual care, older adults struggled, reporting lower satisfaction rates and difficulties with technology. As the NHS and healthcare systems worldwide expand virtual services, the findings reinforce the need for policies to ensure equitable access to digital healthcare for all patients.

Senior author Ana Luisa Neves of Imperial College London concluded: "This meta-analysis provides evidence that virtual consultations yields similar clinical outcomes compared with face-to-face care - however, disparities in digital literacy and access to technology, especially among older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, present challenges that must be addressed for an equitable and sustainable adoption.”