In order to facilitate behavioural changes for more
positive lifestyles, knowledge based guidelines might
not be sufficient as they lack the motivational and
psychological factors.10 A self management
programme should be built on patient perceived
disease related problems, equipping patients with
problem solving skills in order to gain self efficacy or
confidence in dealing with problems.11 A review of
studies on ‘self-management’ training in type 2
diabetes revealed that only a few have contained
interventions to enable patients to learn problem
solving skills and create action plans, with only
a modest improvement in glycaemic control.7
Although the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention reported that 45% of patients with diabetes
receive formal diabetes education,12 not many
programmes are evidence based.13 A disease specific,
self help programme has been shown to have
advantages over the more generic programme.14