title: Rural diabetes education: does it make a difference?
abstract: This cross-sectional study using a mailed survey evaluated outcomes of diabetes education, care, and support provided at 2 clinics in rural Manitoba, Canada. Seventy-eight respondents with type 2 diabetes, including 51 rural clinic attenders and 27 non-attenders (mean age = 68.5), were compared regarding demographic characteristics; diabetes education and knowledge; diabetes self-management efficacy, attitudes, and behaviours; quality of life; satisfaction with care; and health-care utilization. Attenders had more diabetes education (P < .001), higher self-management efficacy scores (P < .051), and greater satisfaction with diabetes care (P < .001) than non attenders, but more education did not translate into greater diabetes-related knowledge, attitudes, or behaviours. While clinic attendance and supportive interaction with health professionals and peers may help equip people with type 2 diabetes with the confidence and alternative strategies to handle diabetes-related health problems, a more standard approach to diabetes education and care could improve the achievement of desired outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Studies, Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Epp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires