Report Title

An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the National Diabetes Education Program from the Perspective of Registered Dietitians

Collective Title

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Research Reports 2021

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. While knowledge and awareness of T2DM remains high, the perception of risk is still quite low despite education programs such as the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP). Diabetes treatment centers incorporate this education program into their patient care to address exercise, diabetes management, emotional issues, and healthy eating and cooking.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the National Diabetes Education Program for T2DM populations from the perspective of registered dietitians in the United States.

Design: An anonymous online survey of 24 questions was designed to collect respondents' experiences using the NDEP and their clients’ or patients’ opinions of the program. The survey was a mix of multiple choice, Likert scale, and open-ended type questions.

Participants: The survey was sent via the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) email list to a random sample of approximately 5,000 registered dietitians (RDs) in the United States. To participate in the survey, participants must be credentialed as a RD in the United States of America and an instructor for any part of the NDEP at least once. There were 10 survey respondents.

Data Analysis: Data was extracted and downloaded from Qualtrics. Frequency and percentages of the quantitative data were calculated to produce pie charts of survey results and a demographics table. Qualitative data was analyzed and coded for themes, then translated into a descriptive figure of the results.

Results: After receiving education from the NDEP, 80% of the RDs responded that on average their patients/clients experienced a decrease in fasting blood glucose levels and 70% of RDs responded that on average their patients/clients experienced a decrease in HbA1c levels. 78% of RDs responded they were satisfied with the NDEP materials and resources and 60% reported their patients/clients were satisfied. Challenges reported in the instruction of the NDEP were the cost of program supplies, lack of culture or ethnicity options, patient literacy concerns, lack of patient disease knowledge, and limited access to glucose meters. An establishment of community support and quality materials provided by the NDEP were reported as benefits to patient care. Improvements in mental health, diet, and understanding of diabetes management were reported by patients/clients who participated in the NDEP.

Conclusion: The NDEP improved diabetes management and quality of life as reported by RDs and patients themselves. However, the low response rate suggests that the NDEP is not used widely enough to have a significant impact on the diabetes population overall.

LLU Discipline

Nutrition and Dietetics

Department

Nutrition and Dietetics

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Gurinder Bains

Second Advisor

Lida Gharibvand

Third Advisor

Edward Bitok

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2021

Date (Title Page)

2021

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

National Diabetes Education Program; Program Evaluation

Type

Research Report

Page Count

16 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Collection Website

scholarsrepository.llu.edu/rr/

Repository

Loma Linda University. University Libraries.

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