[Implementation and evaluation of a proper dietary behavior program in diabetes support groups].
BACKGROUND
Active promotion in recent years of the Diabetes Share Care Program by the national Department of Health and the medical profession has gradually established a diabetes support system as well as patient support groups in Taiwan. The program concept holds that, by participating in a patient support group, diabetes patients and people in high risk categories will learn to adopt a healthier lifestyle in order to delay / avoid diabetes onset and complications.


OBJECTIVE
Within the diabetes support group framework, we implemented correct dietary behavior programs and evaluated their efficacy.


METHODS
A study using a quasi-experimental, single-group pretest and posttest design was carried out from December 2007 to May 2008. Participants included 48 registered patient members of a diabetes patient group located at a regional teaching hospital in Kaohsiung. Researchers used the Donabedian framework to evaluate program efficacy.


RESULTS
Results indicated that the program could effectively promote proper dietary behavior in patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Providing instant data during program execution and evaluation can enhance program efficacy. We hope that this experience can serve as a reference for medical staff when executing such programs.
Huang
Chiu-Ling
CL
School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, ROC.
Liu
Mu-Jou
MJ
Tai
Yen-Kuang
YK
Chiou
Chii-Jun
CJ
Hsiao
Jo-Yu
JY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012657:Self-Help Groups