Group Education Classes Research Articles

Do Group Education Classes Targeting Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) Population Improve the 75 gram Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

The primary purpose of this study is to determine if the MSH IGT class can assist patients to make healthy lifestyle changes that will decrease their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Outcome measures included: 2 hour 75 gram Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), weight, waist circumference and increased activity. The two pioneering studies, (Diabetes Prevention Program and the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study) in the area of IGT demonstrated that diabetes can be prevented/delayed if lifestyle changes occur, and the 75 gram OGTT results reverts back to normal value.

Integrating hepatitis prevention services into a substance use disorder clinic

The Healthy Liver Program, established at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center Substance Use Disorder Clinic, provides screening for exposure to hepatitis infections, a group education class, and an individual nursing appointment to review screening results, give vaccinations for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and make referrals to the hepatitis clinic as appropriate. A patient chart audit was completed 11 months after the establishment of the Healthy Liver Program. The attendance rate for the educational group and individual feedback sessions was 66.9%, with 94.1% of attendees accepting recommended hepatitis A and/or hepatitis B vaccinations. All patients with chronic hepatitis C who attended the Healthy Liver Program received a referral for evaluation in the hepatitis clinic, as compared with only 50% of patients with chronic hepatitis C who were identified before the establishment of the program. The importance of providing comprehensive educational sessions and recommendations for how patients with substance use disorders can access hepatitis screening, vaccination, and treatment resources are stressed.

Should Group Education Classes Be Separated by Type of Diabetes?

Although the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes and economic factors have resulted in more group diabetes education (1–4), little research has examined the effective use of group education or composition of groups. Regardless of group or individual education format, attention to individual learning needs through assessment of attitudes, health beliefs, motivation, and levels of self-care remain critical to tailoring programs to the adult learner. To maximize the benefit of the group format, educators must identify commonalities among group members to foster engagement and participation (5); however, this process can be difficult if participants vary in type of diabetes. In clinical practice, emphasis is typically on filling classes without attention to homogeneity; thus, assessing and addressing the needs of each group participant can be difficult (6). In this study, we examined whether adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes requiring diabetes education differ in medical treatment issues, lifestyle, self-management, and psychosocial characteristics that may impact how they are educated in groups. We evaluated the baseline data of 208 adults (type 1 diabetes, n = 101; type 2 diabetes, n = 107) enrolled in a longitudinal diabetes education study. The Committee on Human Subjects reviewed the study, and subjects provided informed written consent. Subjects were eligible for the study if aged 18–75 years, if they had been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes for ≥2 years, and if they had HbA1c (A1C) ≥7.6 and ≤14%. To be eligible, type 2 diabetic subjects needed to be treated with oral …

Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention vs. Office Advice for Reducing CAD Risk Factors In Adults

Many programs have demonstrated success in risk factor reduction for <12 weeks, however, few investigations report long term results. Patients may benefit from a more comprehensively structured program for long term risk factor modification since physicians are forced to decrease time spent counseling their patients. PURPOSE: To determine if an intensive lifestyle modification intervention is a more effective method for promoting weight loss versus advice from traditional physician office visits in adults at risk for coronary artery disease. METHODS: Participants volunteered to enter the study by paying a nominal fee for the lifestyle intervention (T) or no fee for the office advice (C). Each participant was evaluated at the beginning of the program and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Characteristics measured included weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (GLU) and lipid profile (HDL, LDL, triglycerides[TG] and total cholesterol [total-C]). The treatment group received individual meetings with a registered dietician and was offered exercise advice from a clinical exercise physiologist and the opportunity to exercise in a supervised group setting. Group education classes on multiple risk factors were optional opportunities for participants. The control group was offered physician advice and informational handouts on proper nutrition, exercise and risk factor modification. ANOVA with repeated measures was used to compare results. RESULTS: Greater body weight reduction was achieved from the lifestyle modification group as well as reduction of other established risk factors shown in the table below.TableCONCLUSION: Based on these data, involving adults in an intensive lifestyle modification program can be a more effective method for reducing CAD risk factors than giving traditional office advice for long term success

An educational class on diabetes self‐management during Ramadan

AbstractAll healthy Muslims are required to fast during the month of Ramadan. Diabetes is common among UK Muslims, and poses a considerable challenge for such patients, who feel the spiritual need to fast. Many patients, particularly those on insulin therapy, require considerable advice and support to manage their fast during the month of Ramadan. In our unit, around 50% of our patients with type 2 diabetes are of Bangladeshi origin. In this article, we describe a Patient Group Education Class for management of diabetes over Ramadan. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

CNS development of health maintenance programs: quality improvement and cost reduction.

Several outpatient health maintenance programs were developed by CNSs that resulted in quality improvement and cost savings. Common implementation strategies, barriers to implementation, marketing issues and techniques, and revenue generation issues were found. An outpatient consultation model was used to expand enterostomal therapy and diabetic teaching services. Education and support programs include a cardiac support group and community education classes on aging. Preadmission programs include physical therapy consultation for patients scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery. Outpatient programs facilitate continuity of care in a managed care format, promote cost savings, and provide unique services that encourage patients to return to our hospital, thereby increasing market share. Key barriers encountered include inconsistent or ambiguous administrative support, budgetary constraints, lack of collaboration, communication problems, facility limitations, funding considerations, resource allocation, and territoriality. The programs are consistent with the change in focus of health care from treatment to prevention.

The effects of education on self-care agency.

AbstractThis study examined the effects of group education classes on self‐care agency (SCA) of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and assessed the four independent variables of presence of a significant other, severity of disease, social status, and type of lung disease, and the persons' relationships to SCA and to the change in SCA after education. A sample of 25 individuals with COPD who attended group education classes offered by the American Lung Association of Connecticut served as subjects. Prior to and at the conclusion of the series of classes, they were given questionnaires eliciting perceptions of SCA and biographic data. From the questionnaires, two SCA scores were calculated. A paired t test demonstrated that these individuals had a significantly greater SCA at the conclusion of the classes than at the beginning. Stepwise multiple regression analysis of the biographic variables identified above and SCA revealed a significant negative correlation between chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema and SCA. There were no correlations between biographic variables and the change in SCA scores. It was concluded that teaching increases SCA; the need to direct rehabilitative efforts with greater emphasis toward individuals with chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema was suggested.