title: Reward-based, task-setting education strategy on glycemic control and self-management for low-income outpatients with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility and effect of a reward-based, task-setting strategy for low-income outpatients with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Indigent diabetes outpatients without glucometers were eligible to participate in this trial. A total of 132 cases were randomly recruited. Participants in group B used glucometers for self-monitoring at no cost. Group A participants could keep the glucometers only if the glycosylated hemoglobin level declined compared with the baseline visit; for those not achieving a reduction in the glycosylated hemoglobin level, the glucometers would have to be returned. Group C served as the control group without self-monitoring setout. Diabetes education was provided to all groups. Metabolic indices and self-management were evaluated after 6 months of follow up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group A had a significant decline in the glycosylated hemoglobin level (-0.97%) and medical costs (-159 yuan) compared with the baseline visit, whereas groups B and C had a decrease in the glycosylated hemoglobin levels alone (-0.62 and -0.57%, respectively). The body mass index did not change significantly in any group. There was a statistical difference in the glycosylated hemoglobin level of group A compared with groups B and C. Self-management in group A improved the outcome relative to groups B and C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary evidence suggests that the program is feasible, acceptable for improving patient self-management, and cost-effective in reducing the glycosylated hemoglobin level and medical costs.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development (Ministry of Health) Metabolic Diseases Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Honglei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development (Ministry of Health) Metabolic Diseases Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: General Hospital of Dagang Oilfield Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Rixia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Municipal People's Hospital Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Jingna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: General Hospital of Dagang Oilfield Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Nana
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development (Ministry of Health) Metabolic Diseases Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Zhongming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development (Ministry of Health) Metabolic Diseases Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology Tianjin Medical University Tianjin China.
authors.forename: Demin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yu
keywords: Low‐income outpatients; Reward‐based; Task‐setting