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 .
Practice-based interventions to improve health care for Latinos with diabetes.
This study examined diabetes-related health disparities in a Latino population in terms of prevalence of the disease , and the extent to which practice -based interventions improve health care and health for the Latinos who have diabetes . Previous research has shown that Latinos , overall , are at greater risk for diabetes , but less is known for those of Puerto Rican and Dominican origin . Two interventions were implemented in a large primary care practice : an ADA-recognized Diabetes Self Management Education program , and clinical information feedback loops to providers regarding adherence to the Massachusetts Guidelines for the Care of Diabetes . The study identified the prevalence of  diabetes  to be 13.7 % among Puerto Ricans , and 9.1 % among Dominicans , rates 2-to-3 times that for the general population . Latino patients ( N=567 ) who participated in a Diabetes Self Management Education Program maintained lower Hb A1c values than did a comparison group ( N=432 ) . For a r and om sample of Latinos with diabetes ( N=98 ) in this study , 6 measures of health care improved significantly from 2001 to 2003 . Areas of improvement among healthcare providers were : ordering a  microalbumin level measurement when appropriate , prescribing ACE inhibitors as needed , providing pneumococcal and influenza vaccines , review ing activity status and exercise , identifying smoking status , and prescribing lipid-lowering agents , as appropriate . Body mass index ( BMI ) for the 98 patients remained the same for both measurement periods at 32.8 . Although this initial study spanned only 2 years , improvements in health care and health indices for the population are encouraging . Further study is underway to exp and on these gains
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 .