Authors' objectives:

This systematic review examines the clinical and cost-effectiveness of patient education models for adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Authors' recommendations: Studies of education in Type 1 diabetes suggest that education programmes offered as a part of intensified treatment interventions can result in significant and long-lasting improvements in metabolic control and reductions in complications. These are studies in which education is part of a package of care also including treatment changes (for example diet and insulin) and therefore it is not possible to draw conclusions about potential effects of education per se in Type 1 diabetes. Diverse educational programmes in Type 2 diabetes did not yield consistent results. Although some trials reported significant improvements in metabolic control and/or quality of life or other psychological outcomes, many others did not report significant effects of educational interventions. No clear characterisation is possible as to what features of education may be beneficial in this patient group. Studies that included patients with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes also produced mixed results with only poorer quality studies reporting significant effects.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.hta.ac.uk/1313

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme

Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK

Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk

Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk

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