Dia-D Program: propositional essay of an educational intervention for self-management in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective to present the Diabetes em Dia (Dia-D) Program: an educational intervention for self-management in type 2 diabetes, focused on promoting healthy eating, being active, and taking medication, among adults with type 2 diabetes. Method a propositional essay of complex intervention based on two behavioral models: The ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors™ (Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists); and the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW). Results BCW’s conceptual framework “Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B)” made it possible to define the determinants of target behaviors. Based on these, interventions were proposed, such as training, enablement, education, environmental restructuring, persuasion, service provision, guidelines, and communication. Behavior change techniques (demonstration and self-monitoring of behavior, information on health consequences, among others) underpinned the intervention content. Final considerations and implications for practice the theoretical models enabled the structuring of an educational intervention with an emphasis on proposing strategies for behavior modification, a central component in caring for people with diabetes. The relevance of adopting behavioral models in health education planning and the complex nature of the intervention design stand out.