Personal Empowerment via a Multidisciplinary Diabetes Education Program
Grant Winners
- Pamela Kasyan-Itzkowitz, MS/OTR/L – College of Health Care Sciences
- Maria Maniscalco, Pharm.D – College of Pharmacy
- Elysa Lipshultz, Ph.D. – College of Health Care Sciences
- Martha Wichert, PT – College of Health Care Sciences
- William Kelleher, Ph.D. – Center for Psychological Studies
- Karen Daniel, Pharm.D – College of Pharmacy
- Wallace Marsh, Ph.D. – College of Pharmacy
- Judith Hamlet, RD – Healthy Agendas
- Tamara Fishman, DMP – Wound Care Institute
Deans
- Richard Davis – College of Health Care Sciences
- William Hardigan – College of Pharmacy
- Ronald Levant – Center for Psychological Studies
Abstract
Diabetes is a significant problem for an increasing number of Americans. Diagnosis of diabetes is projected to increase 165% from 11 million in 2000 (prevalence of 4.0%) to 29 million in 2050 (prevalence of 7.2%) (Boyle, 2001). The resulting increased economic impact, as well as impact on individuals and their families, is of concern to many health organizations. The American Diabetes Association reports an estimated cost of diabetes in the United States for 2002 at $132 billion, about 9% of all health care dollars spent.
Practitioners at Nova Southeastern University are in a unique position to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary diabetes education to the community. This study proposes to examine the efficacy of conducting multidisciplinary diabetes self- management education for Type 2 Diabetics. Three cohorts of 20 adults with Type 2 diabetes will be treated in 90-minute sessions over 8 weeks by a select group of educators. Pharmacists from the College of Pharmacy and Occupational Therapists from the College of Allied Health will actively recruit patients and supervise provision of session activities. Participants will complete the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (DES) pre and post educational sessions to provide the following data: baseline and follow up information regarding diabetes education, impact of group sessions. Each session will include the following: an activity such as individualized instruction on the use of glucose meters or provision of direct care (i.e. Pharmacist performing hemoglobin A1c tests), a question and answer session with the educator, participant involvement in the lifestyle design process (recording specific goals and reflections of objectives learned), and an opportunity to share individual experiences. Data will be analyzed by non-parametric statistical techniques in relation to demographics, Body Mass Index (BMI), knowledge of diabetes, and impact of group sessions on individual behavioral changes.