Diabetes self-management education: a review of published studies

Abstract

Diabetes self-management is seen as the cornerstone of care for all individuals with diabetes who want to achieve successful health-related outcomes and is considered most effective when delivered by a multidisciplinary team with a comprehensive plan of care. There is a growing body of literature on both educational and psychosocial interventions, aimed at helping individuals to better manage their diabetes. However, the progress of this research and its implications for clinical practice remain unclear and sometimes controversial. This paper therefore aims to further clarify this literature by considering published evidence for the effectiveness of self-management education, including community-based peer support groups and ongoing home telephone support.