Studies of outcomes related to diabetes self-management education
(DSME) have shown mixed results, and a 2007 meta-analysis rated
most studies on the topic as poor to moderate in quality.3
More recently
published research has been judged of higher quality due to masking of
outcome assessments, fewer numbers of subjects lost to follow-up, and
analysis by intent-to-treat.4
These studies suggest that educational interventions
that more strongly incorporate individual goal-setting and
tailored behavioral change strategies, whether delivered in an individual
or group setting, most successfully help patients improve blood sugar control
in the short term (up to 6 months of follow-up)