PATIENT EMPOWERMENT - RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

OBJECTIVE-The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in a patient empowerment program would result in improved psychosocial self-efficacy and attitudes toward diabetes, as well as a reduction i n blood glucose levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-This study was con ducted as a randomized, wait-listed control group trial. The intervent ion group received a six-session (one session per week) patient empowe rment education program; the control group was assigned to a wait-list . At the end of 6 weeks, the control group completed the six-session e mpowerment program. Six weeks after the program, both groups provided follow-up data. RESULTS-The intervention group showed gains over the c ontrol group on four of the eight self-efficacy subscales and two of t he five diabetes attitude subscales. Also, the intervention group show ed a significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin levels. Within group s, analysis of data from all program participants showed sustained imp rovements in all of the self-efficacy areas and two of the five diabet es attitude subscales and a modest improvement in blood glucose levels . CONCLUSIONS-This study indicated that patient empowerment is an effe ctive approach to developing educational interventions for addressing the psychosocial aspects of living with diabetes. Furthermore, patient empowerment is conducive to improving blood glucose control. In an id eal setting, patient education would address equally blood glucose man agement and the psychosocial challenges of living with diabetes.