Response of diabetic patients to a community-based education program

Meta-analysis of diabetes patient education research: variations in intervention effects across studies

Data from a previously reported meta-analysis of diabetes patient education literature were reanalyzed to determine the influence of study/subject characteristics, such as study quality and age of subjects, on patient outcomes. Patient knowledge and self-management skills, weight loss, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and psychological outcomes were analyzed as outcome variables. Seventy-three relevant published and unpublished studies were located. Patient education appeared to be more effective in younger patients, particularly for the knowledge outcome. For all patients, glycosylated hemoglobin levels improved between 1 and 6 months postintervention, but decreased to 1-month levels after 6 months. Length of the educational intervention did not appear to influence outcomes. More rigorous, experimental research designs tended to produce more conservative effect size estimates. Implications for diabetes patient education are discussed.

Evaluation of diabetes education programs: getting the answers you need

In the time that has passed since our evaluation, 14 of the 16 recommendations we made have been addressed by the education staff and incorporated into the program. Program monitoring methods have been implemented and patient follow-up has been improved. After the recommendations were incorporated into the program, a final but noteworthy outcome of the evaluation process was achieved. Formal recognition as a model diabetes patient education program was given by the state of Ohio Diabetes Control Program. Systematic evaluation of a patient education program may seem an overwhelming and impossible task to accomplish, but with some creative brainstorming with staff it can be done. And the payoffs are worth the effort.