A Delphi consensus study introducing a Problem And attRibutes-bAsed DIabetes self-manaGeMent (PARADIGM) intervention for patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIM

Encouraging patients to improve their self-management behavior based on a strict definition of the intervention is important for a standardized delivery but, until recently, there was no consensus on the core attributes that define such an intervention. The purpose of this study is to generate a core-attribute based and stakeholder-informed problem-based curriculum for promotion of type 2 diabetes self-management structured around five core attributes derived from a previous concept analysis that defined the intervention.

METHODS

Using a Delphi process for consensus achievement, physicians, clinical epidemiologists and allied health care professionals completed eleven rounds of online meetings over 6 months.

RESULTS

Core self-management skills were identified by consensus for each of the five attributes and then used to design a model case and interactions of a problem-based self-management education intervention for delivery in a health care setting. Five model cases and associated interactions were developed by consensus for delivery in group-based and problem-based learning sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

The final structured curriculum will be useful to inform and standardize diabetes self-management based on a clear conceptual definition of the intervention and can thus help make the latter more effective tools for encouraging persons with type 2 diabetes to self manage their condition.