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 .
Using combined research methods for exploring diabetes patient education.
This paper explores a trial of an educational intervention design ed for people who have Type 2 diabetes . The aim of the trial was to underst and how the intervention had influenced outcomes in the context of participants ' everyday lives . A r and omised-controlled wait-list trial design was used . The study was also informed by a qualitative approach which explored the meanings held by participants for informing their behaviours . Outcomes were measured using diabetes-specific question naires and clinical measures of blood glucose control , weight and drug treatment . Alongside these , focus group discussion s were held to explore how outcome effects had transpired . Using these different methods result ed in two separate data sets which required diverse methods for analysis . This paper uses examples of compatibilities and contradictions between the data sets to look at how they were combined to produce valid results . Conclusions drawn showed that a combined methods approach was essential to exp and the scope and improve the analytic power of trials of patient education . It produced illuminating results which provided guidelines for practice and suggested further areas for research
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 .