Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University, Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Van Der Does, A.M.B., Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University, Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; Mash, R., Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University, Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Aim: To evaluate the Take Five School (TFS) group education programme for patients with Type 2 Diabetes in South Africa. Methods: Questionnaires, administered before and after 4 sessions of an hour each of group education, measured the effect on self-care activities in 84 patients from 6 different clinics. Individual interviews with health care workers (HCWs) and focus group interviews (FGI's) with patients explored attitudes. Results: A significant improvement in adherence to a diabetic diet, physical activity, foot care and the perceived ability to teach others was seen. There was no significant change in smoking or adherence to medication. Qualitative data revealed that comprehensive edu cation was appreciated, that the group process was deemed supportive, that HCWs doubt the effect of education in general and that a combination of group and individual sessions was seen as an option worth exploring. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the TFS are identified. Recommendations are made to improve the programme and its environment. Conclusion: Significant self-reported improvements in self-care activities after a group education programme support the view that introducing structured group education for Type 2 Diabetics in a South African public sector primary care context holds promise. Group education for diabetics, especially in resource limited settings, should be sustained and further research should focus on clinical outcomes. © 2013 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
adult; article; attitude to health; diabetes mellitus; evaluation study; female; Group education; group process; health behavior; human; male; middle aged; non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; patient education; primary medical care; program evaluation; psychological aspect; questionnaire; self care; Self-management skills; South Africa; time; treatment outcome; Diabetes; Group education; Primary care; Self-management skills; Adult; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Group Processes; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Program Evaluation; Questionnaires; Self Care; South Africa; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome