The status of empowerment strategies in diabetes self-management education in the European Union member states: Diabetes Literacy Project

Background:

Diabetes education (DSME) is the crucial step for self-management and empowerment to achieve the targeted metabolic and psychosocial outcome in individuals with diabetes mellitus. The purpose of patient empowerment is to help patients set up goals to gain greater control over decisions about diabetes care. The survey had been conducted to have idea about the present status of empowerment strategies implemented in diabetes education in EU member states.

Methods:

The current status of DSME in EU member states was assessed by Diabetes Literacy -project based data collected in a Wiki tool (WT) during 2014, targeting patients and different stakeholders working in the field of diabetes care. The online questionnaire was available in English, German, French, Dutch, Spanish, Hebrew and Mandarin at www.globaldiabetessurvey.com. Additionally, a literature review (LR) was performed in PubMed to include published data regarding DSME in Europe from 1983 to 2014.

Results:

Based on WT (n = 102) and LR (n = 154) reported DSME program data, commonly employed empowerment strategies include increasing knowledge (76.5%/WT vs. 29.9%/LR) and self care skills and changing attitudes/beliefs; increasing social support is less commonly employed strategy (c2 = 0.48 p = 0.487). The discussion „living with diabetes“ primarily empowers patients through understanding own clinical pictures. Most respondents reported that educators need professional training on behavioral change skills.

Conclusion:

Patients empowerment through increasing knowledge is the most commonly employed strategy while psycho-social intervention is the least. Training on behavioral changes for the diabetes educators is essential for the successful implementation of empowerment strategy among patients.