The Impact of the Proposed Practice on Organizations, Patients, and Community

 The patients will benefit from continuous support and education on managing and controlling diabetes. They will learn to cope with their condition, acquire self-management skills, and modify their behaviors. The program’s outcome will be enhanced quality of life, reduced complications and improved blood sugar levels. These outcomes will benefit the healthcare organization because of reduced costs of treating diabetes-related complications and overusing of emergency department. The community will also benefit because individuals will be productive because of improved quality of life. They will not skip work because the program will prevent diabetes-associated complications.

Assessing Need for Change

PICOT Question: In diabetic patients, does a diabetes self-management program compared to usual care improve glycemic control within four weeks?  

P= Diabetic patients 

I=Diabetes self-management program

C= Usual care

O= Improved glycemic control

T= Four weeks

Patient education is vital in enhancing successful diabetes self-management. The self-management program’s goal is to support and encourages diabetic patients to self-manage their behaviors to boost their health outcomes, control their blood sugar levels, and improve their quality of life. Additionally, the program reduces mortality and morbidity rates among diabetic patients, prevents complications, and reduces the financial burden on individuals and healthcare facilities related to managing diabetes-related complications (Kumah et al., 2018).  Equally, group-based education compared to individual education is cost-effective because it reduces funding and the time required to teach individuals about diabetes self-management behaviors. Unlike personal visits, group-based diabetes self-management programs provide healthcare providers a chance to offer detailed information regarding the condition and respond to individual queries (Odgers‐Jewell et al., 2017).  Additionally, the program makes it easier to engage carers and families and allow individuals to learn from others through support and discussion.

 Existing self-management programs integrate multiple behavioral, psychological, and educational interventions. The programs also use collaborative and interactive teaching methods that reflect individual patients’ needs. Additionally, the program is characterized by brief instructions from nurses, dieticians, and physicians that aim to empower individuals to engage in behaviors that improve their health and well-being (Engelhard et al., 2018).  Kumah et al. (2018) also note that diabetes self-management education programs benefit the patient through improved health behavior, health status, and healthcare services, further reducing the cost of treating diabetes-related conditions. Other benefits associated with diabetes self-management programs are improved weight loss, glycemic control, reduced blood pressure, increased awareness of diabetes and the importance of lifestyle modification, enhanced exercise habits and diet, and reduced need for diabetic prescriptions (Odgers‐Jewell et al., 2017). However, the  program’s effectiveness should be supported by primary care providers, patients’ organizations, social and health organizations, voluntary health agencies, and the centers for disease control and prevention. 

Health professionals, managers, and policymakers are trying to integrate self-management programs into healthcare settings, especially in European Countries like Denmark and Germany. However, integrating the program into the health system has faced significant barriers, including lack of engagement from health providers, challenges in recruiting patients, staff shortage, financial challenges, and accountability for the education program quality (Kumah et al., 2018). Regardless of these barriers, diabetes self-management education program benefits diabetic patients because by equiping them with the skills to manage their conditions effectively. For instance, diabetic patients learn to monitor their blood sugar levels frequently, remain active, eat healthy meals, cope with stress, and adhere to their treatment regimen (CDC, 2018).  Also, the program is individualized based on the patient’s life experiences, goals, and needs and is founded on evidence-based standards. Overall, diabetes patients with the necessary support and information to manage their condition are healthier than their peers.

Change Design (Action Plan)

My overall objective is to empower diabetic patients to manage their condition by educating them about the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, monitoring their b