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The Involvement of Lay Educators In Diabetic Control Of Type 2 Diabetic Patients
developed countries such as the United Kingdom, community health workers are given professional training regarding common chronic illnesses such as diabetes.
These workers are recognized as lay diabetic educators. Our study essentially aims to assess the improvement that may arise in diabetic control following the involvement
of lay educators in providing relevant education to patients.
1.3 Problem Analysis
Involvement of lay educators to improve diabetic control in type 2 diabetic patients are influenced by several factors. Among those factors are:
1. Lay educator factors, such as accessibility, their acceptability of being a lay
diabetic educator, role, sustainability, identification, incentives provided and training.
2. Patient factors, such as accessibility and acceptability of the lay diabetic
educator. 3.
Staff factors such as method of training, number of staff involved, when and who to train the lay educators.
4. Method of implementations, such as size of the group, location and duration.
W ill t h e use of la y dia be t ic e du ca t or s
I m pr ov e dia bet ic cont r ol in t y pe 2 D M
Patient factor
Accessibility
Sustainalibility When to
train Number of
staff involved
Staff factor
Role Socio
Demographic Identification
Acceptibility of lay diabetic educator
Lay educator factor
Method of training
Qualification Who trains
the staff
Incentive
Method of implementation
1 : 1small group
Location Duration
Record Type of
training
Figure 1. Problem analysis chart to analyze the use of lay educators to improve diabetic control in type 2 diabetic patients.
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The Involvement of Lay Educators In Diabetic Control Of Type 2 Diabetic Patients
2.0 OBJECTIVES
2.1 General Objectives
To improve the diabetic control in type 2 diabetic patients by using lay educators.
2.2 Specific Objectives
1. To compare diabetic control in patients involved with lay diabetic educators
and those without in the following areas: a.
Knowledge of diabetic control in patients b.
Daily calorie intake c.
Activity levels d.
HbA1c levels e.
BMI reduction f.
Weight differences 2.
To identify the problems arising and the acceptability of both providers as well as patients in the implementation of diabetic lay educators in the management
of diabetes.
3. To make recommendations on the use of lay diabetic educators.
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study Design
This is an interventional study, involving the outpatient department of Sungai Siput Hospital and Padang Rengas Health Clinic. This study was carried out from
October 2006 to November 2007. Type 2 diabetic patients receiving treatment at the outpatient department of Hospital Sungai Siput were taken as the control group
while those receiving treatment at the outpatient department of Padang Rengas Health Clinic were taken as the intervention group.
Phase 1
Lay diabetic educators were chosen based on the following selection criteria: 1.
Non-medical staff 2. Volunteers
3. Ability to communicate effectively in Bahasa Melayu, English, Chinese or Tamil.
4. Ability to attend meetings with diabetic patients during office hours.
5. Has own means of transportation.
6. Ability to work effectively with diverse groups.
Retired medical staff can be considered to participate
