Increasing patient activation through diabetes self-management education: outcomes of DESMOND in regional Western Australia

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed (DESMOND) program on patient activation in adults living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: 233 individuals attended a DESMOND program in 26 locations across regional Western Australia. Individuals completed the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) prior to and immediately after DESMOND participation. Results: Patient Activation significantly increased by 9.7 points from pre to post DESMOND intervention (p<0.001, z=-7.94). Of all participants who exhibited an increase in patient activation, 87% (n=142) experienced a clinically significant (>5 point) increase. Post-DESMOND participation, an 86% reduction (from 6% - 0.9%) in the proportion of participants scoring in the lowest PAM level (Level 1) was observed (p<0.01). Conclusion: DESMOND, a structured diabetes self-management education (DSME) program aimed at strengthening the role of people living with type 2 diabetes in self managing their healthcare, significantly increased patient activation in a real-world setting. Practice implications: In line with international diabetes guidelines it is recommended that people living with T2D, particularly those with lower levels of activation, attend an evidence based DSME such as DESMOND to increase their capacity to effectively self-manage their condition.