Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

FOUNDATIONS OF DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORT| 2-37

Figure 4: Process and Elements of SMS

Co-ordination

Engagement

Self-management support

Integration with other therapies

Information sharing

Psychosocial and behavioral support

Adapted from Powers (10)

How are we engaging in SMS? As previously discussed, SME and SMS research has shown that group follow-up is as effective as individual visits (116). SMS must be realized in the context of the patient’s life, matching the delivery with the ability, preference, lifestyle, etc. of the recipient. In the following discussion, we will highlight some ways SMS is being delivered effectively in the diabetes community. Health coaching Health coaching can be defined as an engagement with an individual or group where there is “health-related education, behaviour change and support by a health-care professional” (117,118) There is an increasing body of evidence to show that health coaching is effective in improving clinical outcomes, increasing medication adherence and in improving self-care behaviours (108,109,118,119). Diabetes health coaching specifically has been shown to decrease A1C by up to 0.5% as compared to structured education and usual care (119). In a recent systematic review of the effects of diabetes health coaching in individuals with type 2 diabetes, there were many differences found in the length, type and personnel involved in the coaching interventions. Coaching was done primarily through telephone contact, but chat