A digital enabled care coordination framework for patients with diabetes in Uganda

Abstract

This study aimed to design a Digital Enabled Care Coordination Framework (DECCF) to improve diabetes management in Ugandan hospitals through the use of ICTs. It was motivated by the persistent challenge of fragmented care, through which there is limited coordination among healthcare workers and this affects the quality of diabetic care. The objective was to develop a framework that digitally links care teams and supports patients in managing their condition. Using a Design Science approach, data was collected from healthcare workers involved in diabetic care through purposive sampling. The study involved St. Francis Nsambya Hospital, Kisenyi Health Centre IV, Mengo Hospital, Nakasero Hospital, and Nkozi Hospital. Data was collated using structured questionnaires and analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 21. Findings showed a strong need for a unified digital platform to integrate information from ubiquitous sources such as health records, telehealth consultations, patient portals and decision support tools. The study concluded that the DECCF can improve diabetic care by improving coordination and patient engagement. The study also recommended piloting the framework in real hospital settings, improving ICT infrastructure, and training healthcare teams in digital tool usage.