Could Online Education Replace Face-to-Face Education in Diabetes? A Systematic Review

Objective Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is a critical component of diabetes care. This study aims to examine the effect of online-based educational interventions on diabetes management compared to face-to-face interventions.Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching three databases for studies in English or Spanish between December 2023 and March 2024. The inclusion criteria were studies that compared face-to-face DSMES with online interventions.Results The follow-up duration of the trials ranged from 1 to 12 months. Multidisciplinary teams delivered online DSMES through various means, including Short Message Service (SMS), telephone calls, video calls, websites, and applications. Online DSMES was found to be comparable to face-to-face interventions in terms of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In contrast, online interventions that focus on weight management in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have shown a significant reduction in HbA1c compared to face-to-face interventions. Online DSMES was found to be superior in terms of quality of life and cost-effectiveness in both T1D and T2D. None of the analyzed studies explored the differences between individual and group methodologies.Conclusions The current evidence indicates that online DSMES services provide at least comparable biomedical benefits to face-to-face interventions, suggesting that online interventions could be incorporated into clinical practice as a complement or reinforcement. However, further research is needed to explore the potential benefits and effectiveness of online group sessions in DSMES.