Date
Summer 2025
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Department
College of Nursing
First Advisor
Teresa Bowers
Abstract
The rising prevalence of diabetes, particularly in South Carolina, revealed a significant gap in structured diabetes education programs, contributing to poor glycemic control and elevated A1C levels. In response, this project aimed to assess the integration of a comprehensive diabetes education program into standard care, potentially reducing A1C levels while improving patient knowledge and self-care behaviors in adults with diabetes over four months. The study used a pretest-posttest design to evaluate the effectiveness of this innovative intervention by comparing participants' outcomes before and after the program. Purpose: To determine if a comprehensive diabetes education program could reduce Hemoglobin A1C levels and improve patient knowledge and self-care behaviors in adults with diabetes over four months, addressing gaps in patient education. Method: To evaluate the effectiveness of the structured diabetes education program, a pretest-posttest design was employed. All participants received the intervention. Before the program, baseline A1C levels, patient knowledge, and self-care behaviors were collected through surveys and medical records. After completing the education program, the measurements were taken. The pre- and post-intervention data were compared to determine the program’s effectiveness. Inclusion Criteria: Participants were adults aged 18 to 75 with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and a baseline A1C of 6.5% or higher. They require care and could not have participated in structured diabetes education programs within the past year. Participants were recruited from local primary care clinics in Columbia, SC, and enrolled in a diabetes education intervention. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected to assess changes in clinical and behavioral outcomes. Analysis: Paired t-tests were conducted to compare pre- and post-intervention A1C levels, patient knowledge, and self-care behaviors between groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Implications for Practice: The goal was to demonstrate the value of comprehensive diabetes education in reducing A1C levels and improving patient outcomes, while also influencing policy and practice changes in primary care.
Recommended Citation
Clark, Amanda Suzanne, "Enhancing Glycemic Control, Patient Knowledge, and Self-Care through Structured Diabetes Education" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 89.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/dnp_projects/89
Rights
© 2025, Amanda Suzanne Clark