Nigerian Health Care Providers and Diabetes Self-Management Support: Their Perspectives and Practices

Nigeria struggles to reframe its traditional acute-care disease approach to health care to accommodate rising needs for chronic disease care. This interpretive descriptive study explored Nigerian healthcare providers' (HCPs) perspectives, experiences, and practices related to self-management support (SMS). Observational and experiential data were gathered from 19 HCPs at two urban hospitals in Southeastern Nigeria (seven physicians, four nurses, five dietitians/nutritionists, and three health educators). There were four themes: (a) compliance-oriented medical model, (b) SMS as advice, informal counseling, and education, (c) navigating the sociocultural terrain, and (d) workarounds. Nigerian HCPs perspectives and SMS practices were characterized by attempts to foster compliance with healthcare instructions within a traditional biomedical model. Participants enhanced patient support using specific strategies to bypass structural system obstacles. These findings demonstrate the need to reevaluate the current understanding of SMS in Nigeria and its practice.

Affective Temperament and Glycemic Control - The Psychological Aspect of Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

Affective temperament shows innate predisposition to affective disorders and has been studied in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Studies describing connections between depressive disorders, obesity and T2DM, show a bidirectional way in which these disorders affect each other. Given that obesity, depression, and T2DM are still growing health problems of our times, the improvement of therapeutic strategies is required. The aim of our study was to evaluate affective temperament in obese individuals with T2DM and pre-diabetes and to investigate the correlations between affective temperaments and glycemic control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study enrolled 185 obese individuals (146 females; 39 males) who were diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes or without any carbohydrate disorder. For affective temperament evaluation, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) was utilized; for glycemic control, the assessment of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was performed.

RESULTS

We did not observe any significant differences of affective temperament between studied groups. In the group of patients with diabetes, depressive, cyclothymic and anxious temperaments positively correlated with HbA1c values indicating worse glycemic control. Inversly, hyperthymic dimension showed negative correlation with HbA1c values.

CONCLUSION

Affective temperaments may affect glycemic control in obese individuals with carbohydrate disorders. Individuals with stronger expression of cyclothymic, depressive and anxious temperaments may need more medical aid for better self-management. Hence, TEMPS-A is an easy and useful tool which may significantly improve the compliance in obese patients with carbohydrate disorders.

Effects of a Psychoeducational Group on Mood and Glycemic Control in Adults with Diabetes and Visual Impairments

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week psychoeducational group therapy program in improving mood and glycemic control in adults with diabetes and visual impairments. The participants made statistically significant gains in glycemic control, and there was a significant positive relationship between control and improvement in depression, but greater knowledge of diabetes self-care did not correlate with improved glycemic control.

Assessing self-efficacy in type 2 diabetes management: validation of the Italian version of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (IT-DMSES)

Background

Being highly self-efficacious is a key factor in successful chronic disease self-management. In the context of measuring self-efficacy in type 2 diabetes management, the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) is the most widely used scale. The aim of this study was to adapt the English version of the scale to Italian and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of DMSES in type 2 diabetes (IT-DMSES).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of people with type 2 diabetes attending the Endocrine-Metabolic Disease Care Unit of the Internal Medicine Department of San Marino State Hospital between October 2016 and February 2017.

Patients completed a socio-demographic and clinical data form, the IT-DMSES and 3 self-report questionnaires measuring diabetes distress (PAID-5), psychological well-being (WHO-5) and depression (PHQ-9).

Psychometric testing included construct validity (principal component analysis), internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient) and convergent/discriminant validity (Spearman’s correlation coefficient).

Decision tree analysis was performed to classify patients into homogeneous subgroups of self-efficacy based on their demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

Participants were 110 males and 55 females, mean age of 65.2 years (SD ± 9), 56.9% had been diagnosed for 1–15 years, 63% had HbA1c level > 53 mmol/mol. Two main factors underlain the construct of self-efficacy in diabetes management: ‘Disease Management’ and “Lifestyles Management”. Disease Management had a good reliability (α = .849) and Lifestyle Management had an excellent reliability (α = .902) indicating that the instrument is internally consistent. A negative and weak correlation was found between Lifestyle management, PAID-5 (r = − 0.258, p = < 0.01) and PHQ-9 (r = − 0.274, p = < 0.01) and a positive one with WHO-5 (r = 0.325, p < 0.01) supporting convergent validity. Disease management was uncorrelated with PAID-5 (r = − 0.142, p = 0.083), PHQ-9 (r = − 0.145, p = 0.076) and weekly correlated with WHO-5 (r = 0.170, p = 0.037) confirming discriminant validity. Higher levels of self-efficacy in lifestyle management were found in patients diagnosed for at least 1 year up to 15 years and aged > 65 years and the poorest self-efficacy was found in males < 65 years.

Conclusions

Results support the validity and reliability of IT-DMSES. The scale can be used in research and clinical practice to monitor type 2 diabetes self-management over time.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12955-018-0901-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Patients' Perspective on the Self-management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Little attention has been paid to the many behavioral issues involved in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Using a patient- centered approach and drawing upon similar work in the area of diabetes self-management, this study evaluates factors related to the self-management behaviors of 65 patients with COPD. The primary focus was on patients' perceptions of the importance of COPD self-care activities, their recall of provider advice regarding COPD self-care, and the relationship of these factors to patient participation in self- care activities during the past month. The self-management behaviors assessed included smoking cessation, medication- taking, physical activity, diet, relaxation, breathing techniques, controlled coughing and bronchial drainage. Both patient- importance ratings and recall of provider advice showed moderate to strong correlations ( r = 0.43-0.79) with the frequency of self-care in the past month, indicating that both the patient's perception (i.e. perceived-importance ratings) and the receipt of health-care provider advice may be important influences on the extent to which patients engage in the various COPD self-management behaviors. Implications for behaviorally-focused interventions are discussed.

Acute care patients discuss the patient role in patient safety

BACKGROUND

Patient safety has been a highly researched topic in health care since the year 2000. One strategy for improving patient safety has been to encourage patients to take an active role in their safety during their health care experiences. However, little research has shed light on how patients view their roles.

PURPOSE

This study attempted to address this deficit by inductively exploring the results of a qualitative study in which patients reported their ideas about what they believe their roles should be.

METHODOLOGY

Patients with an overnight stay in the previous 90 days at one of three hospitals were surveyed using a mailing methodology. Of 1,040 respondents, 491 provided an open-ended response regarding what they believe the patient role should be.

FINDINGS

Qualitative analysis found several prominent themes. The largest proportion of responses (23%) suggested that patients should follow instructions given by care providers. Other prominent themes were that patients should ask questions and become informed about their conditions and treatments, and many implied that they should expect competent care. Our results suggest that patients believe they should be able to trust that they are being provided competent care, as opposed to assuming a leadership role in their safety.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Our results suggest that engaging patients in safety efforts may be complex, requiring a variety of strategies. Managers must provide environments conducive to staff and patient interactions to support patients in this effort. Different types of patients may require different engagement strategies.

Psychometric properties of the Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS)

Patients with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus need to self-manage their condition for optimal outcomes. The degree to which patients with diabetes feel competent or self-efficacious in managing their diabetes has been related to behaviors such as dieting or exercise as well as to indicators of glycemic control. A diabetes-specific adaptation of the Perceived Medical-Condition Self-Management Scale was administered to 398 patients with either type 1 (n=57) or type 2 (n=341) diabetes. Cronbach's alpha of the 8-item Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS) was .83 indicating internal consistency. PDSMS scores were uncorrelated with age, years since diagnosis, and years of schooling, but were negatively correlated with body mass index. Those with type 1 DM had higher PDSMS scores than those with type 2 DM. PDSMS scores were positively correlated with a number of self-reported self-care activities and negatively related to measures of glycemic control. The PDSMS is a valid measure of diabetes self-efficacy, and the more generic template from which it was adapted can easily be altered for use with other chronic medical conditions.

Self-efficacy scale for Brazilians with type 1 diabetes

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Diabetes is a public health problem and good glycemic control is able to prevent or contain its complications. Self-efficacy is a key factor in successfully achieving behavior goals. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the insulin management diabetes self-efficacy scale (IMDSES) on type 1 diabetes patients from southern Brazil.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Validation study in two cities in southern Brazil.

METHODS

The psychometric properties of IMDSES were evaluated in a population of type 1 diabetes patients (n = 213), from September to December 2004, who were attended within the Brazilian public healthcare system. Principal component analysis was conducted to develop the subscales. Cronbach's alpha was used as the reliability coefficient.

RESULTS

The analysis of psychometric properties resulted in an IMDSES consisting of 20 items and three subscales: diet (alpha: 0.83), insulin (alpha: 0.92) and general management (alpha: 0.78) and accounted for 53% of the variance. Criteria validity was investigated through two parameters: glycohemoglobin, which showed significant association with self-efficacy on the insulin subscale (p = 0.04), and the variable "adherence", which was significantly associated with self-efficacy on two subscales (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the IMDSES is valid and reliable, and can be used to measure results from diabetes educational programs and to measure self-efficacy relating to diabetes management, for possible interventions.

Development and validation of the Chinese version of the Diabetes Management Self-efficacy Scale

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to translate the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) into Chinese and test the validity and reliability of the instrument within a Taiwanese population.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A two-stage design was used for this study. Stage I consisted of a multi-stepped process of forward and backward translation, using focus groups and consensus meetings to translate the 20-item Australia/English version DMSES to Chinese and test content validity. Stage II established the psychometric properties of the Chinese version DMSES (C-DMSES) by examining the criterion, convergent and construct validity, internal consistency and stability testing. The sample for Stage II comprised 230 patients with type 2 diabetes aged 30 years or more from a diabetes outpatient clinic in Taiwan.

RESULTS

Three items were modified to better reflect Chinese practice. The C-DMSES obtained a total average CVI score of .86. The convergent validity of the C-DMSES correlated well with the validated measure of the General Self-Efficacy Scale in measuring self-efficacy (r=.55; p<.01). Criterion-related validity showed that the C-DMSES was a significant predictor of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities scores (Beta=.58; t=10.75, p<.01). Factor analysis supported the C-DMSES being composed of four subscales. Good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=.77 to .93) and test-retest reliability (Pearson correlation coefficient r=.86, p<.01) were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The C-DMSES is a brief and psychometrically sound measure for evaluation of self-efficacy towards management of diabetes by persons with type 2 diabetes in Chinese populations.

Diabetes mellitus as a model of psychosomatic and somatopsychic interrelationships

The article reviews research on the problem of interrelationship between different physical and psychosocial factors in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). The authors consider methodological principles of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment in DM1 patients and stress the need for an integrated biopsychosocial approach to the management of the disease. DM1 is a chronic metabolic disease with an absolute requirement for insulin replacement therapy. The stress-inducing nature of DM1 is associated with its unexpected and dramatic manifestation in juvenile years, life-threatening nature of severe hypo-/hyperglycaemias and long-term complications, with the burden of diabetes self-management, threat of work disability, employment and career problems etc. These features of DM1 increase the likelihood of the development of anxiety and depressive disorders, which, in turn, may negatively influence the course of diabetes and in particular, diabetes self-care. This necessitates early diagnosis of emotional and behavioral disturbances in DM1 using self-report instruments as well as clinical assessment. Evidence suggests that active problem-focused coping behavior and adequate social support promote adherence to diabetes regimes and may act as a buffer against negative effects of the disease on HRQoL in DM1 patients. The core element in the HRQoL structure is personal disease picture (as opposed by objective clinical picture)--the cognitive-affective-behavioral complex reflecting the patient's personal perception of the disease. Examination of the personal disease picture and attitude towards the ailment in DM1 patients may help to improve understanding of the mechanisms of poor adjustment. Problems in disease adjustment can be detected also by diabetes-specific HRQoL assessment. The measures of HRQoL can be applied as screening instruments useful in increasing the effectiveness of patient-provider interactions and diabetes care.

Patient empowerment: reflections on the challenge of fostering the adoption of a new paradigm

Diabetes is a self-managed illness in which the decisions most affecting the health and well being of patients are made by the patients themselves. Many of these decisions involve routine activities of daily living (e.g., nutrition, physical activity). Effective diabetes care requires patients and health care professionals to collaborate in the development of self-management plans that integrate the clinical expertise of health care professionals with the concerns, priorities and resources of the patient. Collaborative diabetes care requires a new "empowerment" paradigm that involves a fundamental redefinition of roles and relationships of health care professionals and patients. The challenges of fostering the adoption of a new paradigm differ substantially from those associated with the introduction of new technology. Those challenges are discussed in this paper.

The association of depression and perceptions of interpersonal relationships in patients with diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Using an instrument assessing interpersonal relationships in patients with diabetes, we hypothesized that a change in depression would be associated with a change in patients' perceptions of themselves and others in relationships.

METHODS

Instruments assessing attachment, depression, and demographics were administered twice to 367 patients with diabetes in an HMO primary care setting, 10 months apart. We assessed change in capacity to rely on others (model of other) and to feel worthy of attention (model of self) according to depression change categories (unchanged, decreased, and increased depression).

RESULTS

The degree to which patients reported being able to rely on others increased with a reduction in depressive symptoms (P = .02). The degree to which patients endorsed a sense that they were not worthy of attention in relationships increased with an increase in depressive symptoms (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

A change in depressive symptoms is associated with a change in perception of interpersonal relationships in patients with diabetes.

Clinical skills: empowering people with diabetes to minimize complications

Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong condition. It represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality, often brought about by diabetic microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular (peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke) complications. Although incurable, it is nevertheless possible for the person with diabetes to lead a normal life by adhering to a self-care management regimen. However, this complex, lifelong activity cannot be achieved in isolation. The role of the nurse, particularly as an educator and facilitator of learning, is therefore critical. This article aims to increase nurses' knowledge regarding the importance of ongoing education for the person with diabetes in order to minimize the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications. It also emphasizes the importance of including the individual in any decision-making process to ensure that empowerment is visible.

Effects of an empowerment-based psychosocial intervention on quality of life and metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients

This study was aimed at determining impact of an empowerment-based psychosocial intervention on the patients' quality of life and glycemic control as compared to patients in standard care. Consecutively recruited type 2 diabetic patients, scheduled for their regular medical check-ups, were individually acquainted with empowerment-based principles and invited to participate in an empowering psychosocial course. The response rate was 35% giving a number of 73 patients who were treated in eight separate groups. The treated patients reported their quality of life to be improved after the course regarding its psychological and social aspects. Their glycemic control also improved and remained so after 3- and 6-month follow-up periods, still being in a category of poor control. Empowerment-based psychosocial intervention in type 2 diabetic patients was shown to favourably affect their quality of life and to improve their metabolic control, the latter in a modest degree. Better educated patients believing in internal health control and efficacy of diabetes treatment seemed to benefit the most. Further research is needed in order to highlight individual preferences for different educational approaches, as well as social and cultural factors affecting them.

Interpersonal predictors of HbA(1c) in patients with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Research suggests that increased collaboration and satisfaction in the patient-provider relationship is associated with better outcomes in patients with diabetes. In adults, an interpersonal style characterized by low trust of others and excessive self-reliance is known as "dismissing attachment style." We hypothesized that diabetic patients with dismissing attachment style, due to a decreased ability to collaborate with providers and others, would have significantly higher HbA(1c) levels than patients with secure attachment style.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

From 276 adult tertiary care patients with type 1 diabetes, we obtained mean HbA(1c) levels over the prior year and assessed patient attachment style, demographics, and clinical characteristics. We used chi(2) tests and logistic regression to determine whether attachment style was associated with HbA(1c) levels.

RESULTS

We found that 62% of patients with dismissing attachment style had mean HbA(1c) levels >or=8% compared with 34% of patients with secure attachment style (P = 0.002). After adjusting for demographics, diabetes severity, medical comorbidity, and depression, dismissing attachment style remained significantly associated with HbA(1c) levels >or=8%, compared with secure attachment style (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-6.0).

CONCLUSIONS

We have found that dismissing attachment style is associated with a higher risk for poor glycemic control. This has relevance from a population-based perspective because approximately 25% of the general population has a dismissing attachment style. Attachment style is easily measured using self-report instruments and may inform clinicians how to work with patients who are less engaged in the health care relationship.

Report of the health care delivery work group: behavioral research related to the establishment of a chronic disease model for diabetes care

As one of four work groups for the November 1999 conference on Behavioral Science Research in Diabetes, sponsored by the National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the health care delivery work group evaluated the status of research on quality of care, patient-provider interactions, and health care systems' innovations related to improved diabetes outcomes. In addition, we made recommendations for future research. In this article, which was developed and modified at the November conference by experts in health care delivery, diabetes and behavioral science, we summarize the literature on patient-provider interactions, diabetes care and self-management support among underserved and minority populations, and implementation of chronic care management systems for diabetes. We conclude that, although the quality of care provided to the vast majority of diabetic patients is problematic, this is principally not the fault of either individual patients or health care professionals. Rather, it is a systems issue emanating from the acute illness model of care, which still predominates. Examples of proactive population-based chronic care management programs incorporating behavioral principles are discussed. The article concludes by identifying barriers to the establishment of a chronic care model (e.g., lack of supportive policies, understanding of population-based management, and information systems) and priorities for future research in this area needed to overcome these barriers.

Compliance and adherence are dysfunctional concepts in diabetes care

Recognizing that adherence and compliance are dysfunctional concepts is not a passing fad or the latest trend in behavioral approaches to diabetes care and education. Shifting from the acute-care/compliance-focused paradigm to an empowerment/collaborative approach requires a new vision of diabetes education and a new definition and enactment of the roles of educators and patients. Our practice is always an expression of our vision; therefore, if our vision is transformed, our practice will most likely change to reflect our vision. Eliminating the concepts of adherence and compliance makes it possible for our patients to discover and actualize their personal responsibility for their diabetes self-management. Also, it helps us to practice diabetes education as win-win collaboration among equals.

Theory is the cart, vision is the horse: reflections on research in diabetes patient education

PURPOSE

In this paper, we examine the nature of vision and the role it plays in helping educators identify and use theories productively. We also discuss the role of theory in diabetes education and provide criteria for selecting appropriate theories.

METHODS

The vision of diabetes education developed at the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center was used to illustrate how our vision has influenced our use of educational and behavioral theories.

RESULTS

Both our vision and our theoretical assumptions should be articulated, discussed, debated, and studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes patient education research can systematically contribute to the development of a sound, coherent, and progressive body of knowledge that will truly serve diabetes patient education.

The psychometric properties of the diabetes management self-efficacy scale for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This article summarizes the development and validation of a scale to measure the level of self-efficacy of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Self-efficacy is described as people's belief in their capability to organize and execute the course of action required to deal with prospective situations. This self-efficacy scale was developed based on the self-care activities these patients have to carry out in order to manage their diabetes. The following psychometric properties of this scale were established: content validity, construct validity, internal consistency and stability. The original scale contained 42 items. A panel of five experts in diabetes and four self-efficacy experts evaluated the original scale two times for relevance and clarity. This content validity procedure resulted in a final scale which consisted of 20 items. Subsequently, patients with type 2 diabetes were asked to complete this 20-item scale and further tests were done with the 94 usable responses. Factor analysis identified four factors, all of which were related to clusters of self-care activities used to manage diabetes which comprised this scale. The internal consistency of the total scale was alpha=0.81 and the test-retest reliability with a 5-week time interval was r=0.79 (P < 0.001).

Establishing an active patient partnership

Pharmacists face many changes in the coming decade, some of which threaten their professional survival. Although uncertainty may currently prevail, one of these changes, the shift in the patient-health care professional relationship from the patient taking a passive role to an active partnering role, provides pharmacists with many opportunities to realize the vision of patient-centered care that has been advocated by pharmacy innovators and leaders for almost three decades. To take advantage of these changes, pharmacists must modify their practice paradigms and use their existing strengths, such as easy patient access and high levels of patient trust, to help develop a new model of pharmaceutical care. The concern that the magnitude of these changes will prevent successful practice transformations may be exaggerated. In reality, these proposed "new" roles have been in existence for much of this century. Most pharmacists can expand and enhance their traditional roles as self-care advisors and patient educators simply by incremental improvements in interpersonal and clinical skills. Rather than a Star Trek approach to "go where no man has gone before," the profession needs only a pharmaceutical sequel to Back to the Future.

Changes in conceptions and attitudes during five years of intensified conventional insulin treatment in the Stockholm Diabetes Intervention Study (SDIS)

Previous studies have demonstrated that intensified treatment can result in lower blood glucose concentrations and retard microvascular complications. In the Stockholm Diabetes Intervention Study, 96 patients were followed for 5 years; 44 patients received intensified, conventional treatment and 52 patients received regular treatment. Changes in conceptions and attitudes that accompanied intensified treatment were evaluated with questionnaires and semistructured interviews. After education and personal tutoring, HbAlc was significantly lower in patients in the intensified treatment group compared with patients in the regular treatment group. Self-rated well-being and perceived ability to control the diabetes increased more in the patients in the intensified treatment group. Blood glucose testing became more important to the patients in the intensified treatment group, who used the blood glucose tests more frequently whenever necessary, and who acted on the test results. Microvascular complications were retarded or halted.

Self-management of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent activity-limiting condition among older persons. In addition to, or instead of, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, people use a variety of activities to manage their osteoarthritis. This study describes the self-management methods reported by 61 participants aged 60 years or older assessed on two occasions 8 months apart. A questionnaire was developed to assess levels of use of 10 self-management methods including low-impact activity, rest, range-of-motion exercises, relaxation, heat (or cold), taking medication, joint protection, massage, splints, and any other activity. On a typical day, participants used about four of these activities to manage osteoarthritis symptoms, and significantly more on a day that their arthritis was worse than usual. Three self-management scales were formed from groups of activities suggested by factor analysis (medication taking, typical management, and worse-day passive management) that demonstrated adequate internal consistency and stability across the two assessments. The findings are discussed in terms of the importance of developing a brief measure of osteoarthritis self-management, and the substantial individual variation in subsets of methods used.

Self-efficacy: strategy for enhancing diabetes self-care

This study found that the concept of self-efficacy was associated with diabetes self-care behaviors for individuals with complex insulin requirements. Individuals with higher levels of self-efficacy were better able to manage their diabetes self-care. Diabetes educators are encouraged to incorporate the self-efficacy concept into teaching programs to help individuals develop their own strategies for long-term management of their diabetes. The diabetes scales that made both concepts, self-efficacy and self-care, operational have content validity and measurement reliability and may be used in practice settings to obtain pretreatment information and to evaluate outcomes.

Empowerment: an idea whose time has come in diabetes education

We have learned much in the past 10 years about how to help patients to acquire diabetes-related knowledge and skills and how to use strategies to help patients change behaviors. However, the application of knowledge and techniques should be guided by a relevant, coherent, educational philosophy. Empowerment offers a practical conceptual framework for diabetes patient education. Empowering patients provides them with the knowledge, skills, and responsibility to effect change and has the potential to promote overall health and maximize the use of available resources. It is an idea whose time has come for diabetes education.