The effect of education on knowledge, self management behaviours and self efficacy of patients with type 2 diabetes

Objective The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of patient education on knowledge, self management behaviours and self efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes. The effect of education on knowledge, self management behaviours and self efficacy of patients with type 2 diabetes Design A randomised single blind controlled study was designed to assess the effect of education using a pre and post test design. Setting The study was conducted in an outpatient clinic in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey. Subjects The study population consisted of eighty patients with type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group by recruitment number. Intervention An education program was developed and delivered to the intervention group. Knowledge and self reported self management behaviours were tested before and after the education program. For the evaluation of self efficacy of patients with type 2 diabetes, mean scores of diabetes self efficacy scale were analysed. The control group received routine treatment. Main outcome measures The improvements in knowledge and in self reported self management behaviours were measured by knowledge test; self efficacy of patients was measured by mean scores of diabetes self efficacy scale. Results There were significant differences between the intervention and control groups. Improvements were observed in taking regular walks (p=0.043), recognising nutrients with high caloric content (p=0.037), recommended daily fat distribution (p=0.024), regulating blood glucose levels to avoid complications (p=0.002), and in diabetes self efficacy mean scores (p=0.006). Conclusion Patient education had a limited effect on knowledge and self reported self management behaviours but a significant effect on self efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes.