An outcomes study of diabetes education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a twelve-hour diabetic education program on self-care behaviors and level of integration of diabetes in patients with type 1 & type 2 diabetes. Using the Theory of Integration (Hernandez, 1995) as the study\u27s conceptual framework, an outcomes study was conducted. Thirty-five questionnaires were distributed to subjects at the initial class of the diabetes education program, with 22 being able to be utilized for analysis; The results of this study showed that there was a significant increase in the level of integration of diabetes (t(21) = 2.998, p \u3c .005). When individual statements of integration were assessed, three areas were found to have a significant increase. These included, understanding how diabetes affects one\u27s body by living with diabetes (t(21) = 2.890, p \u3c .005), being aware of bodily cues that distinguish blood glucose levels (t(21) = 2.822, p \u3c .005), and knowing more about taking care of one\u27s diabetes more than anyone (t(21) = 3.044, p \u3c .005); Analysis of individual statements of self-care behavior included significant changes in eating the foods according to a diabetes meal plan (t(22) = 2.802, p \u3c .005), eating snacks at the right time of day (t(21) = 3.049, p \u3c .005), knowing how to treat a hypoglycemic reaction (t(22) 3.323, p \u3c .005) and carrying a sugar source to treat those hypoglycemic reactions (t(22) = 3.045, p \u3c .005). Significant increases were also noted in the logging of blood glucose results (t(22) = 3.239, p \u3c .005), and in obtaining the amount of exercise needed for diabetes (t(22) = 3.023, p \u3c .005). This study is an important initial evaluation of the effects of a diabetes education program on diabetes patients\u27 selfcare behaviors and level of integration