2.4. Procedures and Interventions
T2DM, diabetes
DIABETES
Participants of both the control and the TeLIPro group remained in routine care, i.e., quarterly DMP visits with their attending physician. Participants of both groups received self-monitoring telemedical devices, i.e., a scale (BF600, Beurer GmbH, Ulm, Germany; for weighing at least once/week), a step counter (AS 97, Beurer GmbH, Ulm, Germany; to be used on each day) and access to a secured online portal or App. Measured weight and steps were automatically transferred into the portal or App, and participants were able to enter additional health data. The TeLIPro group additionally received a blood glucose meter (Omnitest 5, B. Braun-Petzold GmbH, Melsungen, Germany) with test stripes for self-monitoring of blood glucose and according to participants’ individual needs 10–17 care calls (e.g., weekly in month 1, every second week in month 2–3, monthly in month 4–6, quarterly in month 7–12). Telemedical coaching was provided by diabetes assistants or diabetes consultants employed at the German Institute for Telemedicine and Healthcare, including technical advice and troubleshooting with telemedical devices, information about T2DM, healthy diet, and physical activity. For telemonitoring health data, the coaches also had access to the online portal or App. Weight development, step counts, and blood glucose profiles were discussed with regard to subjective obstacles or possibilities for lifestyle changes, and target agreements were made.At baseline, after 6 and 12 months of intervention, as well as after 18 months (=6-month follow-up), health parameters (weight, BMI, blood pressure, and laboratory variables such as HbA