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 .
Hispanic Chronic Disease Self-Management: A Randomized Community-Based Outcome Trial
Background In light of health disparities and the growing prevalence of chronic disease , there is a need for community-based interventions that improve health behaviors and health status . These interventions should be based on existing theory . Objective This study aim ed to evaluate the health and utilization outcomes of a 6-week community-based program for Spanish speakers with heart disease , lung disease , or type 2 diabetes . Method The treatment participants in this study ( n = 327 ) took a 6-week peer-led program . At 4 months , they were compared with r and omized wait-list control subjects  ( n = 224 ) using analyses of covariance . The outcomes for all the treatment participants were assessed at 1 year , as compared with baseline scores ( n = 271 ) using t-tests . Results At 4 months , the participants , as compared with usual-care control subjects , demonstrated improved health status , health behavior , and self-efficacy , as well as fewer emergency room visits ( p < .05 ) . At 1 year , the improvements were maintained and remained significantly different from baseline condition . Conclusions This community-based program has the potential to improve the lives of Hispanics with chronic illness  while reducing emergency room use
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 .