OBJECTIVES -The current study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of delivering diabetes education in either a group or individual setting using a consistent, evidence-based curriculum.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -A total of 170 subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either group (n ϭ 87) or individual (n ϭ 83) educational settings. Subjects received education in four sequential sessions delivered at consistent time intervals over a 6-month period. Outcomes included changes in knowledge, self-management behaviors, weight, BMI, HbA 1c , health-related quality of life, patient attitudes, and medication regimen. Changes were assessed at baseline and after the 2-week, 3-month, and 6-month education sessions.RESULTS -Both educational settings had similar improvements in knowledge, BMI, healthrelated quality of life, attitudes, and all other measured indicators. HbA 1c decreased from 8.5 Ϯ 1.8% at baseline to 6.5 Ϯ 0.8% at 6 months (P Ͻ 0.01) in the study population as a whole. Subjects assigned to the individual setting had a 1.7 Ϯ 1.9% reduction in HbA 1c (P Ͻ 0.01), whereas subjects assigned to the group setting had a 2.5 Ϯ 1.8% reduction in HbA 1c (P Ͻ 0.01). The difference in HbA 1c improvement was marginally greater in subjects assigned to group education versus individualized education (P ϭ 0.05).CONCLUSIONS -This study demonstrates that diabetes education delivered in a group setting, when compared with an individual setting, was equally effective at providing equivalent or slightly greater improvements in glycemic control. Group diabetes education was similarly effective in delivering key educational components and may allow for more efficient and costeffective methods in the delivery of diabetes education programs. Diabetes Care 25:269 -274, 2002

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The D-SMART provides educators with a tool that measures patients' behaviors and identifies those priorities for, and barriers to, change.

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By capturing outcomes data using valid, reliable, and evidence-based tools, the NDEOS strives to support diabetes educators and provide a uniform data set that can be used to influence public policy, support reimbursement negotiations, and assist researchers.