Improving Health Outcomes of Diabetic Veterans: A Diabetic Self-Management Program

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Control of the blood sugar prevents complications and results in extra years of life in patients with diabetes. Practice Guidelines delineating specific ways physicians manage diabetes have been outlined. Missing are guidelines for health care providers to encourage patients to take responsibility for their diabetes. Traditional patient education models have been ineffective in managing diabetic persons because they have relied upon information given alone and are disease centered rather than patient centered. This study will explore the role of self-efficacy in helping veterans move toward healthy behaviors.

Detailed Description
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Background: Control of the blood sugar prevents complications and results in extra years of life in patients with diabetes. Practice Guidelines delineating specific ways physicians manage diabetes have been outlined. Missing are guidelines for health care providers to encourage patients to take responsibility for their diabetes. Traditional patient education models have been ineffective in managing diabetic persons because they have relied upon information given alone and are disease centered rather than patient centered. This study will explore the role of self-efficacy in helping veterans move toward healthy behaviors. Objectives: The long-term objectives are to: 1) increase recognition of veteran�s responsibility for health; 2) develop more effective skills in managing chronic conditions; and 3) explore the role of self-efficacy in facilitating improvements in health behaviors and health care utilization. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial of 2,068 cognitively intact, diabetic veterans. The outcome measures (health behaviors, self-efficacy, health status and health care utilization) will be measured using self-rated scales developed and tested by Lorig and colleagues from Stanford University. Glucose levels and BMI changes will be evaluated using information documented in the medical record. Status: Enrollment (a total of 326 patients) is closed. All necessary data have been received and are being analyzed.

Official Title
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Improving Health Outcomes of Diabetic Veterans: A Diabetic Self-Management Program

Conditions
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Diabetes

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Peer led classes. Led by trained veterans with a chronic disease.


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Cognitively intact diabetic veterans. Exclusion Criteria:

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Arm 1<br> | Behavioral: Peer led classes. Led by trained veterans with a chronic disease.<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |