Background  
 Diabetes progresses not only as a disorder but also as a public health concern and management of this condition entails continual medical care to minimize the possibility of long-term health complications. Technological advancements and the increase in internet use in the Philippines has been seen to contribute to the improvement of telemedicine delivery–specifically, in terms of access and dissemination of health information. Amid the enhanced community quarantine period, there has been an intense increase in the adoption of telemedicine practices.

Aim  
The researchers specifically aim to:  
1. Determine the diabetes-specific characteristics of the selected persons with T2DM and the frequency of their telemedicine consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic;  
2. Determine the respondents’ satisfaction with their telemedicine experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic;  
3. Determine different barriers of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic; and4. determine the respondents’ self-care activities related to diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method  
 An online survey, which was adapted from the Diabetes Self Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) and Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use (USE), was distributed through Facebook in June 2021. The purposive sample included Luzon residents with T2DM, aged 20 and above. The gathered data was analyzed using descriptive statistics

Results  
 The study identified that glucose management yielded the highest mean score of 6.90 among the self-care activities related to diabetes during the COVID 19 pandemic. Most of the participants only had one telemedicine consult, and the majority did not change their service provider because their current doctor uses telemedicine. The diabetes-specific characteristics, such as body mass index (BMI) and family history, may have contributed to the respondents' decision to use telemedicine. Most users–whether it is their first usage or not–had been adequately satisfied with their experience in using telemedicine consultation, but the most significant problem encountered were connectivity issues.

Discussion  
Conclusion: As telemedicine continues to emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers aim to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on how a chronic illness, specifically T2DM, can be managed remotely yet effectively.

References  
American Diabetes Association. (2017). 3. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities:Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2018. Diabetes Care,41(Supplement 1), S28–S37. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc18-s003   
  
Dario, C., Luisotto, E., Dal Pozzo, E., Mancin, S., Aletras, V., Newman, S., . . . Saccavini, C.(2016). Assessment of patients’ perception of telemedicine services using the serviceuser technology acceptability questionnaire. International Journal of Integrated Care,16(2). https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.2219   
  
Lund, A. (2001). Measuring usability with the USE questionnaire. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230786746_Measuring_Usability_with_the_USE_Questionnaire   
  
  
Quinn, L. M., Davies, M. J., &amp; Hadjiconstantinou, M. (2020). Virtual Consultations and the Role of Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic for People With Type 2 Diabetes: The UK Perspective. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(8), e21609.https://doi.org/10.2196/21609



**Background** 
Diabetes progresses not only as a disorder but also as a public health concern and management of this condition entails continual medical care to minimize the possibility of long-term health complications. Technological advancements and the increase in internet use in the Philippines has been seen to contribute to the improvement of telemedicine delivery–specifically, in terms of access and dissemination of health information. Amid the enhanced community quarantine period, there has been an intense increase in the adoption of telemedicine practices.

**Aim** 
The researchers specifically aim to: 1. Determine the diabetes-specific characteristics of the selected persons with T2DM and the frequency of their telemedicine consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Determine the respondents’ satisfaction with their telemedicine experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic; 3. Determine different barriers of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic; and4. determine the respondents’ self-care activities related to diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

**Method** 
An online survey, which was adapted from the Diabetes Self Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) and Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of use (USE), was distributed through Facebook in June 2021. The purposive sample included Luzon residents with T2DM, aged 20 and above. The gathered data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

**Results** 
The study identified that glucose management yielded the highest mean score of 6.90 among the self-care activities related to diabetes during the COVID 19 pandemic. Most of the participants only had one telemedicine consult, and the majority did not change their service provider because their current doctor uses telemedicine. The diabetes-specific characteristics, such as body mass index (BMI) and family history, may have contributed to the respondents' decision to use telemedicine. Most users–whether it is their first usage or not–had been adequately satisfied with their experience in using telemedicine consultation, but the most significant problem encountered were connectivity issues.

**Discussion Conclusion:** 
As telemedicine continues to emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers aim to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on how a chronic illness, specifically T2DM, can be managed remotely yet effectively.

**References** 
American Diabetes Association. (2017). 3. Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities:Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2018. Diabetes Care,41(Supplement 1), S28–S37. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc18-s003 Dario, C., Luisotto, E., Dal Pozzo, E., Mancin, S., Aletras, V., Newman, S., . . . Saccavini, C.(2016). Assessment of patients’ perception of telemedicine services using the serviceuser technology acceptability questionnaire. International Journal of Integrated Care,16(2). https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.2219 Lund, A. (2001). Measuring usability with the USE questionnaire. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230786746_Measuring_Usability_with_the_USE_Questionnaire Quinn, L. M., Davies, M. J., & Hadjiconstantinou, M. (2020). Virtual Consultations and the Role of Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic for People With Type 2 Diabetes: The UK Perspective. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(8), e21609.https://doi.org/10.2196/21609

TELEMEDICINE USE AND SELFMANAGEMENT BEHAVIORS OF PERSONS WITH TYPE 2 DM IN LUZON PHILIPPINES DURING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC