Diabetes Basic Training Program: Empowering Veterans for Wellness.

Abstract

Diabetes impacts 1 in 4 patients in the Veterans Health Administration and is associated with serious negative health consequences in addition to high health care system utilization and cost. The Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center developed Diabetes Basic Training, a 9-week intervention that blends medical consultation with group support and training in self-management strategies for enhancing patient motivation and empowerment. Diabetes Basic Training combined 3 monthly shared medical appointments and 6 Diabetes Self-Management Program sessions led in part by trained peers with diabetes. Diabetes Self-Management Program sessions focus on educating patients on diabetes and self-management tools and encourage active practice in building self-management skills and confidence. During shared medical appointments, a clinical psychologist or psychology postdoctoral fellow skilled in motivational interviewing facilitated the group to enhance patient motivation and empowerment for improved diabetes self-management. This novel program combined 2 types of group appointments to provide veterans with access to health care professionals and education on diabetes self-management. Preliminary results suggest the need for larger studies and that these programs may be beneficial in a veteran population.