However , overall there did not appear to be a significant difference between individual education and usual care .
In the small number of studies comparing group and individual education , there was an equal impact on HbA1c at 12 to 18 months .
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes is a common and costly chronic disease which is associated with significant premature mortality and morbidity .
Although patient education is an integral component of diabetes care , there remain uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of different methods and modes of education .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of individual patient education  on metabolic control , diabetes knowledge and psychosocial outcomes .
EVALUATION OF A STRUCTURED TREATMENT AND TEACHING PROGRAMME ON NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES
A structured treatment and teaching programme for non-insulin-treated non-insulin-dependent ( type 2 ) diabetes was evaluated prospect ively in general practice . The four group sessions were mainly conducted by paramedical personnel . 65 patients from five general practice s were assessed at the start of the programme and 50 ( mean age 65 years , diabetes duration 7 years ) completed the 1 year follow-up ( intervention group ) . The control group consisted of 49 patients ( mean age 63 years , diabetes duration 7 years ) from three other general practice s without the programme . In the intervention group the percentage of patients receiving sulfonylureas  fell from 68 % at the start of the study to 38 % after 1 year ( mean difference 30 % , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 16 - 44 % ) ; the mean weight loss was 2.7 kg ( 95 % CI 1.6 - 3.8 kg ) , and non-fasting triglycerides were reduced by 0.77 mmol/1 ( 95 % CI 0.35 - 1.19 mmol/l ) ; and glycosylated haemoglobin remained unchanged ( 7.1 % of total haemoglobin ) . In the control group none of these indices was changed during the study year , and 10 % of patients started insulin treatment . The structured treatment and teaching programme improved the overall quality of patient care in elderly non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients treated by general practitioners
However , overall there did not appear to be a significant difference between individual education and usual care .
In the small number of studies comparing group and individual education , there was an equal impact on HbA1c at 12 to 18 months .
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes is a common and costly chronic disease which is associated with significant premature mortality and morbidity .
Although patient education is an integral component of diabetes care , there remain uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of different methods and modes of education .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of individual patient education  on metabolic control , diabetes knowledge and psychosocial outcomes .