Abstract
Background: Diabetes is a leading cause of death and poor patient outcomes in the United States. Control of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is highly dependent on the patient having strong self-management skills to improve nutrition and weight loss. Patients tend to lack knowledge and/or accountability for making these necessary modifications and improving their blood glucose levels.|Objectives: This quality improvement project was conducted to assess the effects of providing lifestyle modification education for T2DM individuals within the primary care setting. Also, evaluating individuals’ perceptions of the education provided.| Methods: A fifteen-minute educational session was provided to individuals with T2DM in a primary care clinic. A questionnaire was completed pre-intervention to determine the current number of days per week they partook in lifestyle modification efforts on the topics of diet, physical activity, and glucose monitoring. Approximately two weeks following the educational session, a follow up phone call was made to each participant. During this call, the same questionnaire was administered as well as open-ended questions to determine patient perceptions of the educational intervention and future educational sessions.|Results: A paired t-test was utilized to determine the effectiveness of pre- and post-intervention of participants completing the SDSCA questionnaire. Analysis identified significant evidence that intervention improved questionnaire scores. On average, post-intervention improved 0.78 points over pre-intervention scores.|An analysis was completed of all responses to the patient perception questions in which feedback was classified in groupings relevant to responses received for each of the six questions. In addition, responses for threes of the questions were classified as positive or negative regarding feedback to the education/intervention provided. Overall, participant feedback indicated benefits of the educational session regarding improving lifestyle modifications.|Conclusion:
Providing an educational session within the primary care setting for T2DM individuals increases the number of days per week that these individuals partake in lifestyle modification practice. This may lead to improved glycemic control and better patient outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of this educational session as well as effects of additional educational sessions for T2DM individuals.