Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Anita Jablonski

Readers

Retha Ann Hay

Abstract

Background and purpose: Despite affecting individuals of varying ages, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease that most often develops in individuals aged 45 years or older. Socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, and genetic factors contribute to risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. If left uncontrolled, it can lead to various other health complications. Treatment of diabetes involves self-management, which includes a healthy diet, adequate physical activity, medication adherence, and healthy coping. Diabetes Self-Management and Education programs have been crucial in assessing patients’ understanding of their disease and helping to educate them on the importance of treatment. Diabetes Self-Management and education programs have been proven effective in the self-management of those with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. This project aims to examine differences in A1c levels before and after participation in Diabetes Self-Management and Education programs, specifically among non-Hispanic Asian Americans.

Methods: This program evaluation examines the efficacy of an individual-based Diabetes Self-Management and Education Program provided by a King County, Washington, clinic. A quantitative study design using a paired t-test was used to examine unidentified numerical data from a retrospective chart review of non-Hispanic Asians. An unpaired t-test of assumed unequal variance was utilized to compare this population to other races/ethnicities who have or are currently participating in a Diabetes self-management and education Program.

Results: There was a 1.9% reduction in A1c levels among active non-Hispanic Asian participants and a 2.2% reduction in A1c levels among completed non-Hispanic Asian participants. Both active and completed non-Hispanic Asian participants with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus showed a significant difference (p=0.005 for the active participants and p=0.002 for the completed participants) in their participation in a Diabetes Self-Management and Education Program. However, this study's findings show that there have been no significant differences between non-Hispanic Asians and other racial/ethnic groups other than among the completed participants of the non-Hispanic Caucasian population (p=0.02). This could be due to data limitations and sample sizes, as only two participants from the completed non-Hispanic Caucasian population were noted.

Discussion: Unlike traditional Diabetes Self-Management and Education Programs that are grouped-based, this retrospective chart review showed positive effects on reduced A1c levels among non-Hispanic Asian participants in the active and completed DSME program that is individually based, where needs are specific to each participant, and cultural considerations are considered.

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