Feasibility and Impact of "ABCs of Diabetes" Self-Management Education Program at an Urban Public Library

A free, community-based Diabetes Learning Center was placed in a public library. Adults with diabetes (N=360) consented to participate in this prospective cohort study with historic self-controls. The small group, interactive DSME (two 2-1/2 hour classes) focused on improving CVD risk factors and enabling communication with the primary care physician. Knowledge, prescriptions, diabetes-related testing and clinical outcomes were assessed.

"ABCs of Diabetes" DSME Program

Class #1: A1C, Aspirin & Blood Pressure

A. Curriculum Content Areas:

• What is diabetes?
• A1C and blood glucose targets
• Diabetes medications
• Hypoglycemia
• Managing Blood Pressure
• Taking your medications
• Preventing vascular complications
• Monitoring your diabetes health
• "How to Talk to your Doctor"

B. Education strategies & tools

• Role playing from "How To Talk to Your Doctor"
• Ask for test results and how to get to targets
• Prompts to schedule appointments for ADA recommended exams, tests and discuss diabetes with primary care provider

Class #2 Cholesterol and Meal Planning

A. Curriculum Content Areas:

• Managing cholesterol
• Diet, exercise & weight management
• Cholesterol medications
• Smoking cessation
• Family Meal Planning:

consistent carbohydrate

• heart healthy meals

B. Education strategies & tools

• View "Cut the Fat Back" video†
• Interactive portion size & meal planning strategies
• Prompts to query PCP for LDL-C results;
• Flyers with questions to focus PCP on ADA goals † Produced by the Health Promotion Council, Philadelphia PA [email protected]

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus, type 1 or type 2 for at least one month prior to taking the first educational class.
• 18 years old or older.
• Females and Males
• All ethnic groups.
• Must be able to read and speak English.
• Must be willing to sign informed consent to participate in the research component of the program.
• Plan on living in the District of Columbia for the next 6 to 8 months.
• Willing to attend 2 core interactive education sessions within a 6-week period.
• Willing to have a fingerstick performed to obtain blood for A1C and cholesterol determinations prior to and 6 months after completion of the educational sessions.
• Willing to attend both a pre- and a post-study outcomes data collection visit, each of which will last approximately 1 - 1 ½ hours.
• Ability and willingness to adhere to all study requirements.
• Participant must have active health insurance coverage or self pay and have regular visits to their primary care physician. Interested parties who do not have health insurance will be referred to DHHS for assistance in applying for Medicare or Medicaid when applicable.
• Have access to telephone in residence to receive reminder calls for up upcoming visits.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy.
• Non-English speaking.
• Untreated mental illness.
• History of substance abuse or alcohol abuse in the past 12 months.
• Individuals participating in a drug research study.
• Presence of concomitant condition or circumstances which, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with participation in the study, glycemic control or interpretation of the data collected. (e.g. active malignance; HIV/AIDS)
• Chronic concomitant use of oral steroids.