Improving Self Management Skills of Older Adults With Diabetes

Improving the Self Management Skills of Older Adults With Diabetes

The study will help determine if the Better Choices Better Health Diabetes program (community-based or online, also known as the Diabetes Self-Management Program) improves the hbA1C of people with Type-II diabetes. The investigators will also examine 1) symptoms (fatigue, sleep, low blood sugar symptoms, depression, shortness of breath), 2) healthy behaviors (blood sugar monitoring; taking medications as prescribed; getting eye, foot, kidney and cholesterol exams; and activity), 3) the use of health care services. This project is a translational study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention in the context of a major insurer.

Self-report questionnaires and hbA1c capillary blood collection kits will be administered at baseline (prior to the intervention), six-months and twelve-months. Differences between baseline and followup scores will be used to determine if participants have benefited from the intervention, using intent-to-treat methodology. Subgroups and delivery method (small-group or on-line) will be compared using repeated measures and analyses of covariance.

Inclusion Criteria:

• type 2 diabetes
• WellPoint insurance or medicare supplement plan participant
• 18 years or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Treatment for cancer in past year
• Pregnant
• Under 18
• Previously taken a Stanford self-management program