A comparative study of the effectiveness of an individual and group education program for persons with type 2 diabetes

Globally the diabetes epidemic is a major health challenge. Associated with the diagnosis of diabetes is the morbidity and premature mortality stemming from the complications of the disease. It was identified that approximately 50% of clients who attended a diabetes centre in an outer western metropolitan region of Sydney were not completing diabetes education. A strategy employed to overcome this was the introduction of a 2 ½ hour group diabetes education program called the Ongoing Education System (OES), for persons with Type 2 diabetes, that enabled completion of education at this one session. However, debate occurred among health professionals at the Wentworth Diabetes Service (WDS) as to the effectiveness of the OES as compared to the traditional individual education sessions. (one-on-one education). The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of two modes of diabetes education for completing education for clients with Type 2 diabetes , namely individual education (Treatment A) and the OES group education (Treatment B). The findings overall revealed no difference in the outcomes of participants who received individual education and those who received the OES at completion of education as well as at 6 and 12 month post education. A secondary finding of this study was the significant influence gender and age exerted on the outcomes of the education programs. One significant implication from the findings for both the person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and the health care organisation is that the OES provides a cost effective alternative to individual education that encourages clients to complete diabetes education thereby enabling the person to achieve an optimal quality of life. In addition this study provides research evidence for the benefit of current practice in diabetes education