Impact of Diabetes Educator on Diabetes Management: Findings from Diabetes Educator Assisted Management Study of Diabetes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of a diabetes educator-assisted management study of diabetes in low and middle-income countries (Pakistan). A randomized controlled trial was carried out on 150 patients, who received diabetes care from an endocrinologist. Diabetes educators followed a stepwise approach: setting priorities for patient care, assessing patients' specific educational needs, developing of individualized diet plan, benefits of self-monitoring blood glucose, addressing the concerns related to diabetes treatment, foot care, and hypoglycaemia. In the intervention group, the diabetes educator trained patients for 6 months (follow-up visits and phone calls). The primary outcome was A1C, and the secondary outcomes included medication adherence, health-related quality of life, blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile. Most of the participants were from the age range of 40-60 years (57.3%) and were male (53.3%). There was a significant improvement in the HbA1c (p<0.0001), blood glucose (p<0.0001), blood pressure (p<0.0001), and lipid profile (p<0.0001) in the intervention group. A significant improvement in the health-related quality of life and patients' adherence level was also seen after diabetes educator intervention. Glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients requires ongoing education. This study is an effort to enhance self-management of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who are at higher risk of diabetes-associated