Structured Education Program Research Articles

National Diabetes Audit 2015–2016 shows variations in care processes and targets

National Diabetes Audit 2015–2016 shows variations in care processes and targets

The effect of health education in the management of type 2 diabetes and the Sri Lankan perspective: a review

A high prevalence of diabetes and its microvascular and macrovascular complications constitute a significant burden on healthcare systems. Self-management through patient education contributes to reduce the burden of uncontrolled diabetes. Although there are a number of proven strategies in providing diabetes care education, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a specific type of education for our population. The aim of this article is to critically review published studies on Type 2 diabetes health literacy to establish a culturally adapted, structured education program on glycemic control for the Sri Lankans. The review was limited to journal articles published in PubMed, Google Scholar and Google databases. Article search was done using the search headings of “patient education, type 2 diabetes and Sri Lankan studies”. All the articles found in Sri Lankan journals and other important international articles on the topic during the last decade were also reviewed. Poor health literacy is one of the major barriers that has limited access to healthcare facilities and reduce health outcomes. Although recent research has focused on health literacy as an intervention in the treatment of diabetes, none of the Sri Lankan studies have measured its effect on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. This review has raised the need for measuring the impact of health education on management of type 2 diabetes. This could be adopted to develop targeted interventions on patient education to be implemented in glycemic control of Type 2 diabetes in Sri Lanka.

Capacity and consent: Knowledge and practice of legal and healthcare standards.

Healthcare practitioners have a legal, ethical and professional obligation to obtain patient consent for all healthcare treatments. There is increasing evidence which suggests dissonance and variation in practice in assessment of decision-making capacity and consent processes. This study explores healthcare practitioners' knowledge and practices of assessing decision-making capacity and obtaining patient consent to treatment in the acute generalist setting. An exploratory descriptive cross-sectional survey design, using an online questionnaire, method was employed with all professional groups invited via email to participate. Data were collected over 3 months from July to September 2015. Survey content and format was reviewed by the liaison psychiatry team and subsequently contained five sections (demographics, general knowledge and practice, delirium context, legal aspects and education/training). Descriptive, univariate and bivariate analysis of quantitative data and qualitative content analysis of qualitative data were undertaken. The study was approved by the institutional Human Research and Ethics Committee and informed consent was taken to be provided by participants upon completion and submission of the de-identified survey. In total, 86 participants engaged the survey with n = 24, exiting at the first consent question. Almost two-thirds of respondents indicated that all treatments required patient consent. Knowledge of consent and decision-making capacity as legal constructs was deficient. Decision-making capacity was primarily assessed using professional judgement and perceived predominantly as the responsibility of medical and psychology staff. A range of patient psychological and behavioural symptoms were identified as indicators requiring assessment of decision-making capacity. Despite this, many patients with delirium have their decision-making capacity assessed and documented only sometimes. Uncertain knowledge and inconsistent application of legislative frameworks are evident. Many participants were unsure of the legal mechanisms for obtaining substitute consent in patients with impaired decision-making capacity and refusing treatment. The legal context of decision-making capacity and consent to treatment appears complex for healthcare practitioners. Professional, ethical and legal standards of care in this context can benefit from structured education programmes and supportive governance processes. An understanding of why 'duty of care' is being used as a framework within the context of impaired decision-making capacity is warranted, alongside a review of the context of Duty of Care within health policy, guidance and faculty teaching.

The impact of neighbourhood walkability on the effectiveness of a structured education programme to increase objectively measured walking

Incorporating physical activity into daily activities is key for the effectiveness of lifestyle education interventions aimed at improving health outcomes; however, consideration of the environmental context in which individuals live is not always made. Walkability is a characteristic of the physical environment, and may be a potential facilitator to changing physical activity levels. Using data collected during the Walking Away from Diabetes randomized controlled trial, we examined the association between the walkability of the home neighbourhood and physical activity of participants. We also determined whether home neighbourhood walkability of participants was associated with the intervention effect of the education programme. Data from 706 participants were available for analysis. Neighbourhood walkability was not significantly associated with any of the physical activity measures at baseline, or at 12, 24 or 36 months following the intervention (P > 0.05 for all). There was no association between walkability and change in purposeful steps/day from baseline to 36 months in the usual care or intervention arm; 25.77 (-99.04, 150.58) and 42.97 (-327.63, 413.45), respectively. Neighbourhood walkability appeared to have no association with objectively measured physical activity in this population. Furthermore, the walkability of participant's neighbourhood did not influence the effectiveness of a lifestyle programme.

Health education to diabetic patients before the start of Ramadan: Experience from a teaching hospital in Dammam.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Studies have shown that pre-Ramadan structured educational program for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is beneficial. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the degree of adherence of treating physicians to such programs and their influence on the patient's knowledge and behavior.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional study was carried out on adult patients with DM attending a university hospital, who were observed while fasting during Ramadan 1436/2015. Data was collected using a questionnaire-based interview. Baseline characteristics were obtained, and patients were asked whether they had had pre-Ramadan education or not and who the provider was. Patients' knowledge of the components of the recommended structured pre-Ramadan educational program was also tested. Comparison between patients who had the education and those who did not was done using Chi-square test and independent samples Student's t-test; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:A total of 298 patients with type 1 or type 2 DM were included in the study; 75.5% of the patients were aged 40 years or older. Only 30% had pre-Ramadan education delivered mainly by diabetic educators or the treating physicians (52% and 44%, respectively). Patients who had the education were younger (mean age: 45.6 ± 17.4 vs. 50.3 ± 14.4, respectively, p = 0.0048), had higher educational qualifications, were more likely to be employed, and self-monitored their blood glucose more frequently (p = 0.0001). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to their knowledge of diet and exercise.CONCLUSION:The adherence to the pre-Ramadan educational program by the treating physician was low. It is necessary to increase the awareness about the importance of these programs among health-care professionals. The programs should target the less educated, the unemployed, and older patients.

Cost-effectiveness of a pragmatic structured education intervention for the prevention of type 2 diabetes: economic evaluation of data from the Let's Prevent Diabetes cluster-randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesPrevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (TD2M) is a priority for healthcare systems. We estimated the cost-effectiveness compared with standard care of a structured education programme (Let's Prevent) targeting lifestyle...

A community-based primary prevention programme for type 2 diabetes mellitus integrating identification and lifestyle intervention for prevention: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPrevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global priority; however, there is a lack of evidence investigating how to effectively translate prevention research into a primary care setting.Objectives(1) To develop and validate a risk score to identify individuals at high risk of T2DM in the UK; and (2) to establish whether or not a structured education programme targeting lifestyle and behaviour change was clinically effective and cost-effective at preventing progression to T2DM in people with prediabetes mellitus (PDM), identified through a risk score screening programme in primary care.DesignA targeted screening study followed by a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT), with randomisation at practice level. Participants were followed up for 3 years.SettingA total of 44 general practices across Leicestershire, UK. The intervention took place in the community.ParticipantsA total of 17,972 individuals from 44 practices identified through the risk score as being at high risk of T2DM were invited for screening; of these, 3449 (19.2%) individuals attended. All received an oral glucose tolerance test. PDM was detected in 880 (25.5%) of those screened. Those with PDM were included in the trial; of these, 36% were female, the average age was 64 years and 16% were from an ethnic minority group.InterventionPractices were randomised to receive either standard care or the intervention. The intervention consisted of a 6-hour group structured education programme, with an annual refresher and regular telephone contact.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was progression to T2DM. The main secondary outcomes were changes in glycated haemoglobin concentrations, blood glucose levels, cardiovascular risk, the presence of metabolic syndrome, step count and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.ResultsA total of 22.6% of the intervention group did not attend the education and 29.1% attended all sessions. A total of 131 participants developed T2DM (standard care,n = 67; intervention,n = 64). There was a 26% reduced risk of T2DM in the intervention arm compared with standard care, but this did not reach statistical significance (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 1.14;p = 0.18). There were statistically significant improvements in glycated haemoglobin concentrations, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, psychosocial well-being, sedentary time and step count in the intervention group. The intervention was found to result in a net gain of 0.046 quality-adjusted life-years over 3 years at a cost of £168 per patient, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £3643 and a probability of 0.86 of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000.ConclusionsWe developed and validated a risk score for detecting those at high risk of undiagnosed PDM/T2DM. We screened > 3400 people using a two-stage screening programme. The RCT showed that a relatively low-resource pragmatic programme may lead to a reduction in T2DM and improved biomedical and psychosocial outcomes, and is cost-effective.LimitationsOnly 19% of those invited to screening attended, which may limit generalisability. The variation in cluster size in the RCT may have limited the power of the study.Future workFuture work should focus on increasing attendance to both screening and prevention programmes and offering the programme in different modalities, such as web-based modalities. A longer-term follow-up of the RCT participants would be valuable.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN80605705.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.

Role of Adult Asthma Education in Improving Asthma Control and Reducing Emergency Room Utilization and Hospital Admissions in an Inner City Hospital.

Objective. Asthma education programs have been shown to decrease healthcare utilization and improve disease control and management. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of an outpatient adult asthma education program in an inner city hospital caring for patients with low socioeconomic and educational status. Methods. An asthma education program was implemented in September 2014. Patients who received education from September 2014 to July 2015 were evaluated. Outcomes were compared for the same group of patients before and after education. Primary outcomes were emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions. Secondary outcomes were change in Asthma Control Test (ACT) score and number of pulmonary clinic visits. Results. Asthma education significantly decreased number of patients requiring ER visits and hospital admissions (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.0015, resp.). Asthma control as per ACT score ≥ 20 improved with education (p = 0.0001) with an increase in clinic visits (p = 0.0185). Conclusions. Our study suggests that implementation of a structured asthma education program in an inner city community hospital has a positive impact on reduction of ER visits and hospital admissions with improvement in asthma control. Institutional Review Board Clinical Study registration number is 01081507.

Importance of an education programme for patients with chronic widespread pain.

The structured education programme for patients with chronic widespread pain is the first stage of the interdisciplinary group-based rehabilitation programme for those patients at the University Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The aim of our pilot study was to investigate the impact of the education programme on the patients' attribution of pain as dangerous. Ninety-three participants with chronic widespread pain volunteered for the study. They were first screened to verify whether they were suitable for inclusion in the rehabilitation programme. They filled in the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia as part of the screening and after the education programme. The results showed a statistically significantly reduced fear of movement and catastrophizing. Hence, the education programme appears to be achieving its goals.

SEREN, (structured education: Reassuring empowering nurturing); a new structured education programme for diabetes in Wales, UK

SEREN, (structured education: Reassuring empowering nurturing); a new structured education programme for diabetes in Wales, UK

A prospective multi-country observational trial to compare the incidences of diabetic ketoacidosis in the month of Ramadan, the preceding month, and the following month (DKAR international).

Background1.7 billion Muslims worldwide obey divine commands of fasting for a month. This may increase the probability of the acute complications of diabetes during the fasting period.Design and methodsWe primarily aimed to compare the incidences and duration of Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) admissions during Ramadan compared to the month before (Shaaban) and the month after (Shawal) as well as the average pre-Ramadan six months' admissions. Our secondary objective was to assess the different incidence of DKA between Ramadan and the other months regarding precipitating factors, fasting practices in people admitted with DKA and gender differences.This was a prospective study that included all Muslims who were admitted with DKA to major hospitals in the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Tunisia and Morocco during the pre-Ramadan month, Ramadan and post-Ramadan month, in addition to the average monthly admissions during the last six months before Ramadan. Demographics, clinical, and laboratory indices were collected and analyzed to assess primary and secondary end points.ResultsOne hundred seventy patients were admitted during the study duration, 56 were admitted during Ramadan and 63 in Shawal. Six months before Ramadan showed an average admission of 56 + 7 per month. All those admitted during Ramadan were people with type1 diabetes. 29.8 % of those admitted during Ramadan did not receive structured education program on diabetes management in Ramadan. Non-compliance to medications represented the commonest cause for admission in the whole study period. Hospital stay was comparable through different months, but the duration of acidosis was longest during Ramadan month.ConclusionIn concordance with DKAR1, DKAR international showed higher rates of DKA during Ramadan when compared to preceding Lunar month (Shaaban). In Shawal, however, the rates of DKA admission were higher than the average monthly DKA admissions. The duration of acidosis was longer in Ramadan group and positively correlated with duration of diabetes. Many patients did not receive structured education about diabetes and fasting Ramadan. Our study calls for formal pre-Ramadan education and enforces the need for advice against fasting in patients who already experienced DKA in the months preceding Ramadan.

Walking Away from Type 2 diabetes: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate whether an established behavioural intervention, Walking Away from Type 2 Diabetes, is effective at promoting and sustaining increased walking activity when delivered within primary care. Cluster randomized controlled trial involving 10 general practices recruited from Leicestershire, UK, in 2009-2010. Eight hundred and eight (36% female) individuals with a high risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, identified through a validated risk score, were included. Participants in five practices were randomized to Walking Away from Type 2 Diabetes, a pragmatic 3-h group-based structured education programme incorporating pedometer use with annual follow-on refresher sessions. The primary outcome was accelerometer assessed ambulatory activity (steps/day) at 12 months. Longer term maintenance was assessed at 24 and 36 months. Results were analysed using generalized estimating equation models, accounting for clustering. Complete accelerometer data for the primary outcome were available for 571 (71%) participants. Increases in ambulatory activity of 411 steps/day [95% confidence interval (CI): 117, 704] and self-reported vigorous-intensity physical activity of 218 metabolic equivalent min/week (95% CI: 6, 425) at 12 months were observed in the intervention group compared with control; differences between groups were not sustained at 36 months. No differences between groups were observed for markers of cardiometabolic health. Replacing missing data with multiple imputation did not affect the results. A pragmatic low-resource group-based structured education programme with pedometer use resulted in modest increases in ambulatory activity compared with control conditions after 12 months when implemented within a primary care setting to those at high risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, the results were not maintained over 36 months.

Adapting DESMOND, a structured education programme for the self-management of Type 2 diabetes, for adults with intellectual disabilities

Adapting DESMOND, a structured education programme for the self-management of Type 2 diabetes, for adults with intellectual disabilities

Effects of structured education program on organ donor designation of nursing students and their families: A randomized controlled trial.

Little is known about the effect of education programs on changing attitudes and behaviors of participants and their families toward deceased organ donation. The subjects of this randomized trial were Japanese nursing students who were not previously designated organ donors. They were randomly assigned to either the education program or information booklet group. The program comprised a lecture followed by group discussion and information booklet. The primary outcome was self-reported organ donor designation. Outcomes were assessed by questionnaire. Data of 203 (99.0%) students were analyzed. At study end, seven of 102 students (6.9%) of the program group and one of 101 students (1.0%) of the booklet group consented to donate organs (proportion ratio 6.93 [95% CI 0.87-55.32]). There were significant between-group differences in willingness to consent for donation (54.9% vs 39.6%; proportion ratio 1.39 [95% CI 1.03-1.87]), family discussion (31.4% vs 15.9%; 1.98 [1.16-3.38]), and organ donor designation of family members (11.8% vs 2.0%; 5.94 [1.36-25.88]). No group differences were found in willingness for organ donation by students and family members. Although there were no significant between-group differences in organ donor designation, the program seems to indirectly promote consent to organ donation by their families.

NICE quality standards: driving improved care?

NICE quality standards: driving improved care?

STEPWISE - STructured lifestyle Education for People WIth SchizophrEnia: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BackgroundPeople with schizophrenia are two to three times more likely to be overweight than the general population. The UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends an annual physical health review with signposting to, or provision of, a lifestyle programme to address weight concerns and obesity. The purpose of this randomised controlled trial is to assess whether a group-based structured education programme can help people with schizophrenia to lose weight.MethodsDesign: a randomised controlled trial of a group-based structured education programme.Setting: 10 UK community mental health trusts.Participants: 396 adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or first-episode psychosis who are prescribed antipsychotic medication will be recruited. Participants will be overweight, obese or be concerned about their weight.Intervention: participants will be randomised to either the intervention or treatment as usual (TAU). The intervention arm will receive TAU plus four 2.5-h weekly sessions of theory-based lifestyle structured group education, with maintenance contact every 2 weeks and ‘booster’ sessions every 3 months. All participants will receive standardised written information about healthy eating, physical activity, alcohol and smoking.Outcomes: the primary outcome is weight (kg) change at 1 year post randomisation. Secondary outcomes, which will be assessed at 3 and 12 months, include: the proportion of participants who maintained or reduced their weight; waist circumference; body mass index; objectively measured physical activity (wrist accelerometer); self-reported diet; blood pressure; fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile and HbA1c (baseline and 1 year only); health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L and RAND SF-36); (adapted) brief illness perception questionnaire; the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; the Client Service Receipt Inventory; medication use; smoking status; adverse events; depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9); use of weight-loss programmes; and session feedback (intervention only). Outcome assessors will be blind to trial group allocation.Qualitative interviews with a subsample of facilitators and invention-arm participants will provide data on intervention feasibility and acceptability. Assessment of intervention fidelity will also be performed.DiscussionThe STEPWISE trial will provide evidence for the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a tailored intervention, which, if successful, could be implemented rapidly in the NHS.Trial registrationISRCTN19447796, registered on 20 March 2014.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1572-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Erratum: Transition of Patients with Esophageal Atresia to Adult Care: Results of a Transition-Specific Education Program.

Aim of the Study A history of esophageal atresia (EA) may result in chronic morbidity. The transition of patients from pediatric to adult care has been recognized as an important factor to maintain disease-specific follow-up and prevent exacerbation of chronic disease. Patient education is recognized as a necessary part of transition programs for children with chronic diseases. Structured education programs for patients with EA have not yet been developed. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a transition-specific educational program in adolescents with a history of EA. Methods An ethical approval was obtained. Patients with a history of EA (age 14–21 years) and their parents were invited to participate in a 2-day transition-specific educational program. Overall, 29 patients and 25 parents were recruited out of whom 10/7 were allocated to the intervention group (program) and 19/18 to the control group (no program). Subjective satisfaction (ZUF-8) and expected effects of the program on the future course of the disease, transition-specific knowledge (standardized questionnaire addressing organizational and health-related aspects of transition), health-related quality of life (DISABKIDS), and confidence for self-management (Patient Activation Measure-13) were measured with appropriate psychological instruments. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Main Results Subjects participating were highly satisfied with the program (patients 26/32 points, parents 25/32; ZUF-8). Overall, 90% of the patients and 67% of the parents anticipated a positive effect on the future course of the disease. Patient's transition-specific knowledge was low before the program (36% correct answers). It improved by 18% after the intervention (56% correct answers; p = 0.004). It did not change in the control group (54 vs. 52%; n.s.). Parent's transition-specific knowledge did not change after the intervention (66 vs. 67% correct answers; ns). In patients, there were no detectable effects on health-related quality of life (79.7 intervention vs. 81.5 controls; DISABKIDS general score) or self-management (44.4 intervention vs. 41.4 controls; PAM-13). Conclusions We identified a deficit of transition-specific knowledge in adolescents with a history of EA. These patients benefit from a transition-specific education program. Thus, the transition to adult care may be facilitated resulting in an improved long-term care of patients with EA.

Why should you commission structured patient education for adults with type 1 diabetes?

Introduction Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE) is the leading structured patient education programme for adults with type 1 diabetes in the UK. Provided by a not-for-profit NHS-governed consortium, it enables patients to self-manage their disease through a skillsbased education programme. DAFNE is designed to be embedded within established NHS diabetes services. People applying DAFNE principles learn to stabilise their blood glucose, which reduces the risk of complications, improves quality of life for them and their families and reduces NHS costs. Commissioning DAFNE will: • Achieve cost savings of £93,133 per 100,000 population annually1 • Enable you to be compliant with the new NICE type 1 diabetes guideline (NG17)

Effectiveness of Patient education Program on Bronchial asthma among adult asthmatics; A cross sectional study

Asthma is the most chronic respiratory disorder affecting all age groups. As the disease and its effective management continue to be public health challenge, it has been the focus of clinical and public health interventions. Some of the most common reasons for the uncontrolled asthma are non adherence to treatment, poor knowledge and skills in disease management (GINA guidelines, 2005). Aim: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of structured educational intervention on self care management of Bronchial asthma. Methods: Study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of structured asthma educational program on self care management of Bronchial asthma. Design: Experimental Pre test-post test control group design was chosen. From the patients with confirmed diagnosis of asthma, sample were selected to experimental (n=100) and control (n=50) groups. The Pre-test means between experimental (19.9) and control (18.82) groups were not much significant. There is a significant improvement within the pre test (mean 19.930; S.D 8.84)) and Post test scores in the experimental group (mean 42.31/S.D 3.449). The post test means between experimental (42.31) and control groups (21.28) supports the significant enhancement in the knowledge of the experimental group after asthma education. Conclusion: Asthma education is an important means to equip patients with knowledge and skills required to manage the condition effectively. Adequate knowledge may further motivate patients towards behavior modification and long term management.

Prospective analysis of principles and frequency of self-adjustment of insulin dose in people with diabetes type 1 before and after participation in a diabetes treatment and teaching programme

ObjectiveInsulin dose self-adjustment is an essential part of intensified insulin therapy – nowadays the routine treatment of type 1 diabetes (DM1). The aim of this study was to evaluate principles and frequency of insulin dose self-adjustments in people with DM1 before and one year after participating in a structured diabetes treatment and teaching programme (DTTP) and to determine to which extent the patients followed the way they had been trained. Methods72 people with DM1 were interviewed before participation in our inpatient (32/72) or outpatient (40/72) DTTP. Sixty-six participants (91.7%) were followed up after one year. The number of adaptations of the insulin dose by the patients was recorded from 28days of the patients’ diary. The ability to find the correct dose was tested using five different examples. ResultsMetabolic control improved significantly after one year (7.9±1.0 to 7.5±0.8%, p=0.004). The participants performed 86.0±37.1 insulin dosage adaptations per 28days before the DTTP. After one year the frequency increased significantly to 99.1±30.7 per 28days (p=0.011). Before the DTTP, 42 of 72 patients (58.3%) adjusted their insulin dose to correct high blood glucose levels by adjustment rules (factor for correction or correction scheme) and 20 of 72 people (27.8%) by personal experience/feeling. One year after the DTTP, 73% (48/66) used adjustment rules. ConclusionsAfter participating in an structured education programme, patients adjusted their insulin dosage more frequently. Metabolic control improved despite the fact that many patients did not strictly apply the rules they had been trained for.