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Expert-recommended educational program may improve diabetes in older veterans
Educating health care providers about increased risks for hypoglycemia and its consequences for older adults with type 2 diabetes can help reduce events and improve health outcomes for these patients, according to recent study findings published in The Diabetes Educator.
“The development and implementation of an evidence-based educational program on the prevention of hypoglycemia can be of great value, especially if, as in this case, it has been validated by renowned experts in the field of diabetes,” the researchers wrote. “After implementation of the educational program, the health care providers in turn can educate patients, families and caregivers on hypoglycemia episode prevention, recognition or awareness, and treatment.”
Maud Meulstee, DNP, RN, CNP, of the Veterans Healthcare Administration in Boston, and colleagues conducted a comprehensive literature review to develop evidence-based content for an educational program. Through the review, six categories and 24 subcategories were identified including the importance of type 2 diabetes (five subcategories), introduction to hypoglycemia (five subcategories), adverse consequences of hypoglycemia (three subcategories), prevention of hypoglycemia (no subcategories), American Diabetes Association updated guidelines (three subcategories) and special considerations in managing type 2 diabetes in older adults (eight subcategories).
A five-member expert panel reviewed the content of the educational program and were selected based on education, experience and published journal articles in the subject matter of type 2 diabetes in older veterans or older adults.
All of the experts said the six categories were relevant and important. Most subcategories received 80% or more agreement from experts on their relevancy and importance. The subcategories of prevalence of type 2 diabetes, markers of frailty in older adults and healthy eating were considered relevant but less important and were eliminated.
The topic of “veterans with type 2 diabetes” was eliminated for general use but was recommended for use in the educational program at the Veterans Healthcare Administration.
The experts further recommended additional content including landmark studies, risk factors for hypoglycemia and geriatric syndromes, and interaction with diabetes management.
“The process undertaken to systematically develop and validate the content for an educational program has the potential to decrease the research-practice gap,” the researchers wrote. “Educating health care providers in a timely manner has the potential to significantly reduce hypoglycemic events and its consequences of increased morbidity and mortality of elderly persons/veterans with [type 2 diabetes]. This educational program will be further developed and disseminated at a federal [Veterans Healthcare Administration] site. Future evaluation is warranted on the effects of a hypoglycemia prevention education program, both on health care provider knowledge and practice, and on improved health outcomes of elderly adults with [type 2 diabetes].” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.