Care Partner Support Following a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Intervention.
Kelly J Mansfield, Vanessa D Colicchio, Adonica I Kauwe Tuitama and 3 others
PMID 35658746WHAT IT FOUND
Care partners who attended a diabetes education program said it helped them understand diabetes, support meals and appointments, and avoid nagging.
They wanted shorter, repeated education because diabetes changes over time.
Key findings
01Care partners said the program helped them correct diabetes misconceptions and understand its complexity.
02After the program, care partners said they better understood when and how to help with diabetes-related tasks such as glucose checks and medications.
03Care partners wanted shorter, repeated, ongoing education because diabetes management changes over time.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study did not compare care partners who received education with those who did not, so it cannot show the program caused better support. Only care partners who had attended the program were included, and many may have been highly motivated, so the findings may not apply to less engaged partners. Recruitment depended on people with diabetes sharing contact information, which may have limited who could be reached. The program combined group sessions, individual sessions, cooking, and exercise, so the study cannot show which part mattered. Findings are about care partners' views, not patient diabetes outcomes.
Declared interests
The article is listed as supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research. No author conflict-of-interest declaration was supplied.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this program improves diabetes outcomes or makes care partners more effective. The study was qualitative, involved a small group of motivated care partners, and did not compare groups or measure patient outcomes.