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 .
Effects of a structured health education programme by a diabetic education nurse on cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese Type 2 diabetic patients: a 1-year prospective randomized study.
AIMS To assess the effect of regular diabetic health education on cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese Type 2 diabetic patients . METHODS This was a 1-year prospect i ve r and omized study . One hundred and eighty Type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited from three regional diabetic centres in Hong Kong . Ninety received additional structured reinforcement of diabetic health education by a trained nurse after the doctors ' consultations every 3 months ( intervention group ) . The others received the same medical care except no nursing reinforcement ( control group ) . Outcome measures included fasting plasma glucose , HbA(1c ) , body mass index , waist circumference , blood pressure and lipid profiles , which were assessed before the study and after 1 year . RESULTS Two of the controls defaulted follow-up . The intervention group and controls had similar age and sex distribution . At the end of study , the intervention group had reducted their waist circumference , diastolic blood pressure , HbA(1c ) , total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels . The controls had reduced their total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels . Other cardiovascular risk factors were not significantly changed in the controls . Addition of drugs and /or dosage increment of anti-diabetic drugs , lipid-lowering agents and anti-hypertensive agents were similar between the two groups . CONCLUSIONS Regular structured reinforcement with diabetic health education is useful . It helps to control more successfully some of the cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese Type 2 diabetic patients
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 .