Economic Impact and Health Care Utilization Outcomes of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Interventions for Persons With Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Recommendations for Future Research

Diabetes Education for the Hospitalized Patient

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) creates the pillars necessary for a person with diabetes (PWD) to build self-confidence in how to manage a diagnosis of diabetes. Health care organizations should remain flexible and adaptable to seeking new methods in providing patient education particularly a PWD. As diabetes diagnosis continues to grow along with different diabetes tools and technology, health care organizations should consider embracing change by implementing the use DSME/S, developing a diabetes management inpatient team, and acquiring Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

Cost outcomes of pituitary adenoma resection: The use of a hybrid microscopic/endoscopic surgery

Background

The pathogenesis, surgical techniques, and outcomes of pituitary adenomas (PAs) remain variable. We compared our surgical techniques and perioperative/long-term PA outcomes to highlight the hybrid microscopic/endoscopic technique used to optimize efficiency, cost savings, and outcomes in PA surgery.

Methods

Consecutive PA cases performed from January 2017 through February 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. A cost analysis by surgical approach was performed combining this primarily microscopic series, with endoscopic visual assist, and a separate cohort of consecutive intra-institutional endoscopic-only PA resections.

Results

Among 160 patients included in the main cohort analysis (mean age 51.5 ± 16.2; 89 females [55.6%]), a microscope was used in 81.9% of cases, with endoscopic assistance (hybrid) or the endoscope alone used in the remaining cases. Surgical complications occurred in 5 cases (3.1%): postoperative diabetes insipidus in 3 (1.9%), electrolyte imbalances requiring additional drug treatment in 3 (1.9%), and syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone release in 2 (1.2%). Thirty-three additional patients were included in the cost analysis (193 total). Patients treated with a microscopic-only approach had the lowest operating time (mean normalized operating room costs 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95, 1.04], P < 0.001; mean normalized total direct costs 5.00 [95%CI 4.69, 5.31], P = 0.008), with hybrid and endoscopic-only approaches having higher comparable operating times and costs.

Conclusion

PA surgery using a primarily microscopic approach (with endoscopic assistance for complex cases) remains a safe, efficient, and cost-effective strategy and results in shorter anesthesia time to reduce patient complications while maintaining excellent endocrinologic outcomes.

Keywords

Endoscope, Hybrid approach, Microscope, Pituitary adenoma, Transnasal surgery, Transsphenoidal surgery.

The Value of Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support in Diabetes Care and Education: A Call to Action to Increase Referrals and Recognize Insurance Coverage Variation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Evidence over the past few decades have proven the benefits and cost savings of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT). Yet, the benefits continue to be underutilized. Little evidence is available to definitively assess insurance coverage for both services. Strategies are presented to more efficiently assess coverage as well as Identify methods to increase referrals and more effectively bill for both services.

RECENT FINDINGS

Estimated statistics for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes reveal increases globally, especially in those under 20 and over 65. Individuals meeting the current A1C guidelines are still well below current recommendations. The economic costs of diabetes continue to rise. Both DSMES and MNT are effective, cost-saving methods that are critical components to the ongoing care of people with diabetes. While insurance coverage does vary based on each specific type, billing correctly and following the requirements for NSDSMES are essential to receive appropriate reimbursement for services.

The relationship between self-care preparedness and quality of life in a 3-year-follow-up: a study in primary health care

BACKGROUND

Measuring self-care preparedness may enable better support for patients in general practice.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the relationship between the self-care preparedness index (SCPI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a longitudinal analysis over 36 months.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of an intervention group of a randomized controlled trial. Participants were adults (n = 256) with hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease in primary health care. The intervention group was included in the present study since they had answered SCPI as a part of the intervention. The relationship between SCPI and HRQoL (15D) and other outcomes were studied at baseline. The mean changes in SCPI and 15D were calculated from baseline up to 36 months. Regression-based analysis was used to study to what extent the baseline SCPI was associated with the change in SCPI and 15D and to what extent the change in SCPI was associated with the change in 15D.

RESULTS

At baseline, 15D, physical activity, self-rated health, life satisfaction, and patient activation measures had a positive linear relationship with SCPI. Body mass index and depressive symptoms had a negative linear relationship with SCPI. The longitudinal association between changes in SCPI and 15D was statistically significant and positive. The adjusted β was + 0.19 (95% confidence interval: 0.07 to 0.30, P = .002).

CONCLUSION

Those patients who managed to increase their SCPI over the study period experienced an improvement in HRQoL.

Phone call for diabetic people: protocol for a pragmatic, type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To describe an implementation study protocol for an intervention based on educational guidelines focused on seven self-care behaviors, through phone calls to individuals with type 2 diabetes.

METHOD

We will conduct a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation pragmatic randomized clinical trial, with 198 individuals with type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy, from the Glycemic Self-Monitoring Program of two Primary Health Care in the city of São Paulo and three in Campinas, located in the state of Sao Paulo. Patients will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control group. Both groups will receive standard care, with the intervention group also receiving a phone call. During the call, nurses will provide guidance based on seven self-care behaviors, known as The ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors™. Evaluations will happen at the baseline, and after 3- and 6-months post initiation of the trial. Glycemic levels and adherence to self-care behaviors will be compared before and after the intervention using multiple linear regression models. Through interviews with participants from the intervention group, implementation determinants based on the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model, and implementation outcomes feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness will be evaluated.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

We will evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention while exploring contextual conditions for its implementation in clinical practice of Primary Health Care. This study will provide preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of educational guidance through nurse-led telephone calls, as well as implementation determinants and outcomes in the clinical practice of Primary Health Care. Its results are important for expanding this assistance in locations where nursing consultation for people with diabetes is absent, hindered, or restricted. Study is registered on the ReBEC platform.

A short tool to screen self-care preparedness: cross-sectional study in general practice

BACKGROUND

Self-care is crucial in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. It is important to identify patients who need support with self-care.

OBJECTIVES

This study introduces a self-care preparedness index (SCPI) and examines its associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and other outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of adults (n = 301) with hypertension, coronary artery disease, or diabetes in primary health care. Based on the self-care questionnaire, SCPI was formed. A higher SCPI value indicated better self-care preparedness. We examined correlations and a hypothesis of linearity between SCPI and HRQoL (15D), depressive symptoms (BDI), patient activation (PAM), and health-related outcomes (self-rated health, life satisfaction, physical activity, body mass index [BMI], waist, low-density lipoprotein). Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the construct validity of SCPI.

RESULTS

A total of 293 patients with a mean age of 68 (54.3% women) were included in the analysis. BDI, BMI, and waist had a negative linear trend with SCPI. Self-rated health, physical activity, patient activity, and life satisfaction had a positive linear trend with SCPI. SCPI correlated with HRQoL (r = 0.31 [95% CI: 0.20 to 0.41]). Exploratory factor analysis of the SCPI scores revealed 3 factors explaining 82% of the total variance.

CONCLUSIONS

SCPI seems to identify individuals with different levels of preparedness in self-care. This provides means for health care providers to individualize the levels of support and counselling. SCPI seems to be a promising tool in primary health care but needs further validation before use in large scale trials or clinical practice.

Pathway From Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis to Action: How to Move People Forward

Seven self-care behaviors-healthy coping, healthy eating, being active, taking medication, monitoring, reducing risk, and problem-solving-are recommended for individuals with diabetes to achieve optimal health and quality of life. People newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may find it challenging to learn and properly incorporate all of these self-care behaviors into their life. This qualitative study explored the experiences and perceived immediate self-management and psychosocial support needs in individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Data analysis revealed the significant challenges individuals encounter after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Five main themes were identified: 1) type 2 diabetes diagnosis competes with other complex life challenges, 2) difficulty in performing behavior modification actions, 3) lack of support, 4) emergence of emotional and psychological issues, and 5) need for planned individualized follow-up support after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This study revealed a gap in care after type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Individualized support is needed to assist people in moving successfully from diagnosis to being well equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly manage the condition.

Availability of Evidence-Based Diabetes Programs in U.S. Children's Hospitals

Diabetes affects Americans across the lifespan requiring individual and community-level interventions for prevention and management. Nonprofit hospitals are required to address community health needs under current tax law. The study objective was to assess what strategies children's hospitals implemented in prevention and care of diabetes and determine how many hospitals used evidence-based strategies. We identified the most recent Children's Hospital Needs Assessments and implementation strategies for each hospital. Data were thematically coded. Twenty-nine of the 233 U.S. children's hospitals addressed diabetes in their community benefit investments. Of the 130 hospital programs, 48 (37%) aligned with the DSMES framework. Programs focused on prevention (32%), healthy eating (18%), education (15%), physical activity (12%), quality improvement (11%), and self-management (5%). Most children's hospital interventions (85%) did not state a focus on reducing health disparities and none addressed problem solving or diabetes technology. Minimal hospitals are using evidence-based programming for diabetes management and are not targeting health disparities which undercuts their efforts. Hospitals are not adopting structural evidence-based approaches, missing key opportunities to implement strategies shown to reduce diabetes prevalence and lower A1c. This study suggests that children's hospitals need improvement in their diabetes programming to better serve their communities.

What Individuals Want to Hear at the Point of Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

Recent studies have shown that the time of diagnosis with type 2 diabetes is often not a teachable moment because of heightened emotions. Yet, research also shows that individuals who are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes need reassurance and a clear pathway to obtain the education and support needed to self-manage the condition. This article reports on qualitative research exploring the experiences of individuals with type 2 diabetes at the time of diagnosis, including information they wanted to hear and learn at diagnosis. The findings suggest that initial communication should offer reassurance and establish a partnership between the diagnosed individual and the health care provider to identify next steps toward self-management success.