Adapting a Diabetes Patient Education Program for Use as a University Course

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine if a patient education program, "Life With Diabetes, " could be converted to an undergraduate course. The course consisted of seven 2-hour sessions with presentations by a physician, dietitian, psychologist, and clinical nurse specialists. Topics included definition, treatment, nutrition, monitoring, children, older adults, and patient empowerment. A total of 52 students (45 without diabetes, 7 with diabetes) have completed this one-credit course. A patient diabetes knowledge test and a 50-item Diabetes Attitude Survey were administered before and after the course. For the students without diabetes, mean knowledge posttest scores improved significantly, and significant changes were seen on the attitude subscales, with posttest scores moving closer to those of a national panel of diabetes experts. Students with diabetes scored closer to the national panel on the pretest and improved significantly only on the patient autonomy subscale. This course measurably improved knowledge and attitudes among undergraduates, suggesting that a patient education program can be adapted successfully to provide additional training opportunities for diabetes education programs.