Evaluation of a Synchronous, Online Diabetes Nutrition Education Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives With Type 2 Diabetes: Facilitators and Participants' Experiences.

Objective: To explore the overall experiences of key players involved in a culturally adapted, online, synchronous diabetes nutrition education program across 5 reservation tribal and intertribal urban Indian clinics.

Methods: A multimethods design, including postclass surveys with Likert-scale and short-answer questions, was completed after each of the 5 classes. Participants (n = 54) and class facilitators/coordinators (n = 10) completed postclass surveys (n = 189 and 58, respectively). A subset of participants (n = 24) and all class facilitators/coordinators (n = 10) engaged in online focus groups after the conclusion of program implementation. Qualitative thematic methods and frequency distributions were used to analyze the data.

Results: Most participants reported that the classes were enjoyable (94%), culturally respectful (77%), and easily accessed online (68%). Qualitative themes included (1) class satisfaction, (2) class improvements, (3) preference for class facilitator, and (4) recommendations to improve recruitment and retention.

Conclusions And Implications: These findings will guide program modifications to provide improved diabetes nutrition education for American Indians and Alaska Natives adults with type 2 diabetes.