Short and long-term outcomes from a multisession diabetes education program targeting low-income minority patients: a six-month follow up.

BACKGROUND

A diabetes self-management education (DSME) program was offered to patients at a primary care clinic serving low-income people.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the analyses presented here was to understand the feasibility of the program and effectiveness of the intervention.

METHODS

The program was facilitated by a nurse and licensed dietician. Data were collected at baseline, after each class, and after 6 months. Patients were interviewed to identify diabetes self-care behaviors before the first class, after the fourth class, and at 6 months. Knowledge related to content areas was measured before and after each class. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were collected at baseline and after 6 months. Medical records were reviewed for LDL levels, co-morbidity, and diabetes management. Frequencies, χ(2) and t tests, and repeated measures t tests were used to analyze data.

RESULTS

Patients were mostly non-Hispanic black or Hispanic (93.1%); mean BMI was 34.89 kg/m(2). About one-half (41.95%) completed the program. Significant improvements were observed for knowledge related to each of the 4 content areas: diet (P < 0.001), diabetes management (P = 0.003), monitoring blood glucose (P < 0.001), and preventing complications (P = 0.001). Among long-term outcomes, mean HbA(1c) was significantly reduced (0.82%), from 8.60% to 7.78% (P = 0.007), with 26.67% of patients reducing HbA(1c) from ≥7.0% at baseline to <7% at follow up (P < 0.001). Patients demonstrated a significant improvement in readiness to improve dietary behaviors (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes suggested that minority patients with a high risk for poor diabetes outcomes might be retained in a multisession DSME program and benefit from increasing knowledge of diabetes content. Further evaluation is necessary to determine the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.