Teaching so they hear: using a co-created diabetes self-management education approach.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the development and outcomes of a co-created diabetes self-management education (DSME) intervention that resulted in statistically significant (p=.02) improvements in diabetes self-care activities when compared to outcomes of a typical DSME program.


METHODS
In this pilot study, an experimental self-management intervention with a self-selected group of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus was held in the southern United States. Focus group results were used to develop the intervention and DSME participants co-created the sessions. Pre- and postintervention outcomes were compared to those of participants in DSME programs at two area, certified diabetes education centers.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups with regard to knowledge, adaptation, and program satisfaction. However, diabetes self-care activities significantly improved (p=.02) for the experimental group.


CONCLUSIONS
A co-created teaching approach better meets the learning needs of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and results in enhanced ability to perform the self-care activities required for successful diabetes control. Better diabetes control reduces visits to monitor and treat complications and the need for repetitive educational sessions that exceed third-party pay limits and extend the time needed for patient encounters.
University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas 72034, USA. neldan@uca.edu
Nelda
N
New
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D015206:Southwestern United States; D016896:Treatment Outcome