A telecommunications intervention for frontier patients with diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a telecommunications diabetes self-management (DSM) intervention would improve health-related outcomes among frontier participants with diabetes. A one-group pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design with two groups of participants was used. Differences between pre and post-test periods on measures of physical and emotional health, knowledge of diabetes, and self-care behaviors were measured.

Improving access to quality diabetes education in a rural state: the Montana Quality Diabetes Education Initiative.

Purpose: Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is an integral component of diabetes care; however, skilled educators and recognized programs are not uniformly available in rural communities.

Methods: To increase access to quality DSME, the Montana Diabetes Control Program and the Montana chapter of the American Association of Diabetes Educators developed a mentoring program with 3 levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced. All participants were assisted by a volunteer certified diabetes educator (CDE) mentor.