One-year follow-up effects of diabetes rehabilitation for patients with prolonged self-management difficulties

The aim of this study is to determine effects and the role of facilitators of empowerment of a Multidisciplinary Intensive Education Programme (MIEP) for diabetic patients with prolonged self-management difficulties. Glycemic control (HbA1c), health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and facilitators of empowerment (health locus of control and coping) were measured in 99 participants of MIEP at baseline ( T 0), 3 ( T 1) and 12 months ( T 2) follow-up and in 231 non-referred consecutive outpatients. HbA1c improved at T 2, although initial improvement was partially lost. Patients improved in most HR-QoL domains, without any relapse at T 2. At T 2, participants no longer differed from the average outpatients in any outcome. Initially, the HbA1c of men and women improved equally, but at T 2 women consolidated improvement, whereas men relapsed. After MIEP, patients became more empowered (both at T 1 and T 2), explaining additional variance in HR-QoL improvement. The aim of MIEP to empower patients, rather than trying to solve problems for them seems effective.