Diabetes education program use and patient-perceived barriers to attendance.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although self-management education is an essential component of optimal diabetes care, diabetes education programs are greatly underused. This study examined the use of diabetes education programs by a university-based family practice patient population in Philadelphia. Predictors of program attendance, as well as patient-perceived barriers to attendance, were identified. METHODS A survey designed to collect information on demographics, clinical factors associated with diabetes, experience with diabetes education, and reasons for nonattendance at education programs was administered to 150 patients with diabetes. RESULTS Twenty-two percent of the subjects had attended a diabetes education program. Female gender, insulin use, and higher degree of obesity were positively associated with education program attendance. Physician recommendation was an important predictor of attendance. Significant barriers to attendance included lack of awareness of programs, misperceptions about what programs involved, structural barriers, and health beliefs. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes education programs are underused. Physicians can improve program attendance and outcomes for people with diabetes by implementing interventions designed to address the identified barriers.

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