Influence of small-group experiential learning of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine on the oral health knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors of elderly patients with diabetes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:This study aimed at the oral health problems of elderly patients with diabetes. A training course of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was constructed, helping patients improve their oral health quality of life. METHODS: A randomized controlled prospective experimental study was conducted. A total of 190 elderly patients were divided randomly into an observation group and a control group with 95 cases in each. The control group received regular health education, while the observation group was based on the control group to implement the integrated experiential learning of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in small groups. The oral health knowledge, attitude, behavior, and blood glucose control status along with the oral health quality of life of the two groups were compared before the intervention and at 3-month postintervention. RESULTS: Three months after the intervention, the fasting blood glucose control and the 2-h postprandial blood glucose/glycosylated hemoglobin levels in the observation group were significantly better than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The oral health quality of life in the observation group was significantly better than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The small-group experiential learning model of integrated Chinese and Western medicine can promote the transformation of knowledgebeliefs-behaviors in elderly patients with diabetes, which is conducive to controlling blood sugar levels and improving the quality of oral health. KEYWORDS: Diabetes mellitus. Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Small-group experiential learning. Oral health knowledge. Oral health attitude. Oral health behavior. Blood sugar level. Glycosylated hemoglobin. Oral health quality of life.

Uso de comunidades virtuais no suporte às pessoas com diabetes mellitus

“…Ele difere do conhecimento tradicional em que o aprendiz desempenha um papel relativamente passivo no processo ensino-aprendizagem. 15 No experiential learning, o educando assume um papel proeminente. É relevante o papel que a emoção e os sentimentos, derivados do aprendizado com a experiência, têm nesse processo.…”

“…Assim, ele é capaz, também, de transmitir esse conhecimento. 15 A valorização da experiência do paciente com a doença crônica passou a ocupar lugar de destaque no contexto da adesão ao tratamento das doenças crônicas, antes centrada em um modelo de submissão do paciente ao poder médico. As expertises igualmente importantes dos provedores de cuidado e pacientes levaram à ideia de reconhecimento do direito de o paciente de tomar decisões que façam sentido no contexto de suas vidas em detrimento dos objetivos determinados pelos profissionais da saúde.…”

Use of virtual communities to support people with diabetes mellitus

“…It differs from traditional knowledge in which the learner plays a relatively passive role in the teaching-learning process. 15 In experiential learning, the learner assumes a prominent role. The role that emotion and feelings, derived from experiential learning, play in this process is relevant.…”

“…Thus, he is also able to pass on this knowledge. 15 The valorization of the patient's experience with chronic disease has come to occupy a prominent place in the context of adherence to the treatment of chronic diseases, previously centered on a model of patient submission to medical power. The equally important expertise of care providers and patients have led to the idea of recognizing the patient's right to make decisions that make sense in the context of their lives rather than the goals determined by health professionals.…”