title: Education guidelines for self-care living with diabetes.
abstract: Educational processes for those with diabetes can occur in a variety of settings. Major problems in education and implementation of programs for this population continue to be discussed. Methods for assessing programs' effectiveness in establishing adherence to individual regimens are developing. Health care professionals have assumed that individuals who are better informed make better decisions. This assumption implies that exposure to a body of facts and opportunities to develop technical skills provide the necessary elements for self-care and thus responsibility for self-health-care. Until sufficient data either confirm or negate these assumptions, programs to develop these skills and knowledge will continue. Educational program planning should occur in a systematic way with the process of the learning experiences identified along with an evaluation of the outcome of the program objectives. This educational model described (SURVIVAL, HOME MANAGEMENT, and LIFE STYLE) provides a systematic method for developing educational programs in a variety of health care and community settings. Diabetes self-care programs can be evaluated for content, design, and process. Their outcome in terms of short-term health behavior skills can also be measured. The yet unanswered question remains: Do educational programs resulting in desirable individual behaviors (adherence) make a difference in the long-term effects, quality of life, and avoidance of disability in the diabetic population? The answers may come in the future through well controlled and defined evaluative research studies. The profession of dietetics is an important part of the future. Have we been effective in our counseling or educational endeavors and, if so, can that professional function be documented? Current economic trends are stimulating to cost-effective research. Although research studies to demonstrate such effectiveness are difficult to design, the current "Guidelines" provide a model for evaluating outcome of educational programs in terms of the knowledge and skills necessary for self-care.
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D012648:Self Care