The current diabetes education experience: Findings of a cross-sectional survey of adults with type 2 diabetes

Objective: To survey persons with type 2 diabetes (PWD) on their experiences with diabetes education to better understand what it means when a PWD says they have "had diabetes education." Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study among a convenience sample of adult PWD receiving primary care and/or diabetes self-management education and support in a mid-Atlantic regional US healthcare system. Descriptive, bivariate, and regression analyses were used to describe and explore the diabetes education experience.Results: Participants (n = 498) were majority female, African American, and non-Hispanic. Half reported having "had diabetes education." Of those, 44% had only one session. Education was most often provided in clinical settings by a dietitian (68%) or doctor (51%), in one-on-one (70%) sessions. While most participants reported receiving core diabetes knowledge, fewer reported education on topics that are not related to their daily routine, such as what to do about diabetes medications when sick. Conclusion: The self-reported diabetes education experience varies in content, modality, setting, and education provider. Education receipt is low, and for those who receive education, the amount is low.Practical Implications: The diabetes education experience may fall short of the comprehensive US National Standards-recommended process. Innovative strategies are needed to address these gaps.