Education Program Helps People Cope With Diabetes

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Long-term effects of a structured intensive diabetes education programme (SIDEP) in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a 4-year follow-up study, by S.H. Ko and colleagues. Diabetic Medicine 24:55-62, 2007

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Diabetes is a growing problem in the U.S. To avoid the problems of diabetes and illnesses that go along with it, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD, disease of the heart and blood vessels), people need to learn more about diabetes and how to maintain health.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to evaluate the long-term result of a structured intensive diabetes education program in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Who was studied?

The study included 547 people who were hospitalized for diabetes in a medical center in Seoul, South Korea.

How was the study done?

Half of the people were enrolled in an intensive diabetes education program provided by a team that included a diabetes specialist, diabetes educator, ophthalmologist, pharmacist, psychologist, and other health professionals. The program was designed to teach the participants about diabetes, show how to monitor and control their blood glucose, and explain the importance of maintaining a proper diet and level of physical activity. The program took about 6 hours a day for five days during hospitalization. The other half of the participants received brief information about the same topics.

Researchers kept track of participants for 4 years.

What did the researchers find?

People who were in the intensive education program showed more improvement in blood glucose control and were less likely to be admitted to the hospital during the study period. Those in the intensive education program were more likely to follow self-care guidelines for people with diabetes.

What were the limitations of the study?

The study was limited to people at one medical center in South Korea, and may not apply to other groups of people. Some of the information used in the study is based on what people remember and report, which may not be accurate.

What are the implications of the study?

An intensive educational program can help people with diabetes better deal with their illness and care for themselves. However, it may not be practical or economical to give such an intensive program to every person with type 2 diabetes.