Diabetes rehabilitation: Effects of a Multidisciplinary Intensive Education Programme for diabetic patients with prolonged self-management difficulties

This study aimed to determine effects of a Multidisciplinary Intensive Education Programme (MIEP) based on the empowerment approach for diabetic patients with prolonged self-management difficulties. In 89 participants, glycaemic control (HbA1c), health related quality of life (HR-QoL) and indicators of empowerment were measured before MIEP (10 days in 10 weeks, follow-up after 6 and 12 weeks) and at 12 weeks follow-up. The participants were compared with 231 average outpatients who were measured once. Overall, participants improved their glycaemic control, mental health, satisfaction with treatment and became more empowered. Subgroup analyses revealed that especially patients with poor baseline control improved their HbA1c. At baseline, participants with poor mental health scored worse on all other HR-QoL subscales too and were less empowered compared to the satisfactory mental health group. The poor mental health participants improved in most of these aspects. MIEP has beneficial effects in HbA1c, HR-QoL, and empowerment, especially in patients with poor status at baseline