Effects of an Outpatient Diabetes Self-Management Education on Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a simple outpatient diabetes self-management education programme. METHODS: In the study, 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated into the control group (n = 30) and intervention group (n = 30). Regular and 2-session health education programmes were provided. The summary of diabetes self-care activity measure, problem areas in the diabetes scale, fasting blood glucose, postprandial 2 h blood glucose, and HbA1c were measured before and after the intervention to assess the effects of this 2-session diabetes education programme. RESULTS: The total mean score of the summary of diabetes self-care activities measure was 17.60 ± 6.63 points. The problem areas in the diabetes scale revealed that the total mean score was 29.82 ± 15.22 points; 27% of the patients had diabetes-related distress, while 9% suffered from severe emotional distress. Compared with the control group, scores of the summary of diabetes self-care activities measure and problem areas in the diabetes scale, fasting blood glucose, postprandial 2 h blood glucose, and HbA1c were significantly improved in the intervention group after the intervention (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the 2-session diabetes education programme could effectively improve the level of self-reported self-management, psychological distress, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.