Evaluation of a hospital-based education program for patients with diabetes

Ninety-three hospitalized patients with diabetes were followed for a 4-month period after discharge. Fifty-three of them attended an inpatient diabetes education program. The primary objectives of this research were to (a) determine the effectiveness of the program in improving diabetes-related behaviors and outcomes of the patients attending the program and (b) study the effects of time on those behaviors and outcomes. Examples of self-care behaviors included eating three meals per day, daily urine testing, and maintaining an exercise program. Outcome measures included reduced fasting blood glucose levels, reduced insulin requirements, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer emergency room visits. At 1 and 4 months after discharge, the group that attended the program reported better compliance for all self-care behaviors than did the group that did not attend the program. Outcomes were also better for the group that attended the education program.