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 .
Intensive education improves knowledge, compliance, and foot problems in type 2 diabetes.
Despite the established role of foot care education in diabetes management , reports evaluating such interventions are rare . The effectiveness of an intensive foot care intervention programme and a conventional one were therefore compared in Type 2 diabetes . The intensive group showed significantly greater improvements than the conventional group in foot care knowledge ( p less than 0.001 ) , compliance with the recommended foot care routine ( p = 0.012 ) , and compliance with the initial advice to consult  a podiatrist ( other than the project podiatrist ) for further treatment ( p = 0.008 ) . At the first follow-up visit the intensive group also showed a significantly greater reduction in the number of foot problems requiring treatment than the conventional group
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 .