Increasing patient self-efficacy and lasting behavior change
is critical for our healthcare system to achieve goals of quality,
safety, and cost-effectiveness in diabetes management. The
conventional individual approach to DSME had significant
value in improving understanding, confidence in managing
the disease, and reducing related distress. However, these
study results suggest that additional follow-up and supportive
interventions directed at behavior change may be needed to
more fully realize the full impact of diabetes education and
to yield sustainable improvements in nutrition, exercise, and
blood sugar control.