Comparing outpatient and inpatient diabetes education for newly diagnosed pediatric patients

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of outpatient vs inpa tient programs on medical, cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes . METHODS Using three large, tertiary medical centers in the United States, the sampl e of 32 children newly diagnosed with diabetes and their parents were recru ited. Children and parents who received outpatient education were compared with those who received inpatient education. The following outcome variable s were compared: (1) rates of hospital readmissions and/or emergency room v isits for either severe hypoglycemia or Ketoacidosis, (2) knowledge, (3) sh aring of responsibilities, (4) adherence, (5) family functioning, (6) copin g, and (7) quality of life. RESULTS In general, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups. A trend was noted in the outpatient group with regard to improved use of emergency precautions on the adherence measure, roles on the family functioning measure, maintaining family integration on the parental coping measure, and disposition on the children's coping instrument. CONCLUSIONS Findings support the safety and efficacy of the outpatient program method.