Increasing Education Improves Health
Did you know that nearly here in Arkansas, nearly 15% of residents are living with Type 2 diabetes? Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation have discerned that delivering family-centered Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs through digital health can significantly improve health outcomes for people with the disease. The study, Comparative Effectiveness of Telehealth-Delivered Family Model of Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support, is the first to compare standard and family models of DSMES delivered virtually. Researchers found that participants in both digital health DSMES models experienced clinically significant improvements in blood sugar control and management immediately following the program and up to 12 months later.
- An increase in helpful family involvement in diabetes care while reducing the potential for harmful family behaviors that could undermine self-management efforts, such as encouraging unhealthy food choices or planning meals that are not diabetes-friendly.
- May reduce diabetes-related risk among family members and supportive networks by promoting healthy eating habits, regular physical activity and other self-care behaviors.
- National accreditation standards were met for DSMES and achieved high attendance, engagement and fidelity without any additional cost or education burden, demonstrating that scalable, reimbursable digital health education is achievable statewide.
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