Patient Education and Empowerment

Abstract

The clinical care of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has changed dramatically in recent years. While new therapies and technological advances improve outcomes in diabetes, these can also increase the burden of daily care for people with diabetes and their family members. In order to use these technologies effectively, patients need the information required for advanced decision-making, the skills to incorporate self-management into their lives, and the self-efficacy to assume this level of responsibility. Diabetes self-management education, on-going support, and patient empowerment are strategies that can be used to facilitate patient engagement and active participation, prevent acute complications, and ultimately to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life among people with diabetes.