An evaluation of Web‐based education as an alternative to group lectures for diabetes self‐management

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of Web-based diabetes self-management education for newly diagnosed patients with type II diabetes as an alternative to group lectures. Using a non-equivalent control group, pretest-post-test design, the participants in the Web group (n = 15) took part in a Web-based diabetes self-management program, while those in the lecture group (n = 16) attended 3 h of group lectures provided by health-care professionals specializing in diabetes care. The outcome variables were measured at the baseline (T0), and 6 weeks (T1) and 3 months (T2) after the interventions. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) percentage and diabetes care knowledge in the Web group improved significantly from T0 to T1, while the diabetes care behavior improved significantly from T0 to T1 and from T1 to T2. The diabetes care knowledge and diabetes care behavior in the lecture group improved significantly from T0 to T1, but the HbA1c percentage did not change significantly between any times. These results show the potential of the Web-based program as an alternative to group lectures for diabetes self-management education.

Internet Delivered Diabetes Self-Management Education: A Review

“…15 There was one pre/post evaluation study, 22 two pilot/feasibility studies, 23,24 and two studies that explored participant usage patterns for Internet-based materials. 25,26 In total, 2,802 subjects were enrolled among the studies reviewed.…”

“…10,15 Related psychosocial and behavioral variables were assessed in some studies: diabetes self-efficacy was measured in four trials, 15,18,19,21 diabetes knowledge was assessed in four studies, 16,22,24,25 and self-reported eating and exercise behaviors were assessed in three trials. 15,17,18 Web site usage patterns were assessed in several trials, some to explore participant interest or ease of accessing materials, 10,15,19,23,25 whereas other trials assessed correlations between Web site usage and study outcomes.…”

“…10,16,20,21,24 Two studies compared very short-term outcomes (after only 2 weeks), 16 four studies compared outcomes at baseline and again 4, 6, or 12 weeks later. 17,21,22,23 Several studies compared outcomes 6-18 months from baseline, 10,14,15,[18][19][20] whereas the longest follow-up period was 2 years. 26 Only two studies 14,22 compared Internet education with face-to-face diabetes education typically delivered in clinic settings.…”

“…Among the studies reviewed, eight studies were randomized control trials, 10,14,[17][18][19][20]22,25 whereas one was a randomized comparative effectiveness trial. 15 There was one pre/post evaluation study, 22 two pilot/feasibility studies, 23,24 and two studies that explored participant usage patterns for Internet-based materials.…”

“…Nine of the 14 studies included physiologic outcome variables to assess efficacy of the DSME intervention, measuring hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), 14,15,[17][18][19][20]22,27 blood pressure, and body mass index. 10,15 Related psychosocial and behavioral variables were assessed in some studies: diabetes self-efficacy was measured in four trials, 15,18,19,21 diabetes knowledge was assessed in four studies, 16,22,24,25 and self-reported eating and exercise behaviors were assessed in three trials.…”