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ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPErSquantitative researchHow do newly diagnosed patients withtype 2 diabetes in the Waikato get theirdiabetes education?Ross Lawrenson MD, FRCGP, FAFPHM, FFPH; 1 Grace Joshy MSC; 1 Yoska Eerens; 2 Wayne Johnstone MA 3ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Education is accepted as the mainstay of management for people with diabetes.However, there are few population-based studies describing what education has been delivered from thepatient’s perspective.Aim: To ascertain the sources of education for patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes; whateducation was received and what were the patients’ views of group education. Delivery of education toMaori was compared with non-Maori.1Waikato Clinical School,The University of Auckland,Hamilton, New Zealand2University of Otago,Dunedin, New Zealand3Te Puna Oranga, WaikatoDistrict Health Board,Hamilton, New ZealandMethods: A cross-sectional survey of patients identified from the Waikato Regional Diabetes Servicedatabase. Patients identified in one calendar year, having a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and being agedbetween 20 and 89 years were included in the survey. Patients were sent a four-page questionnaire. Nonresponderswere followed up by telephone.Results: 333/667 patients (50%) responded. The principal source of education for Waikato patientswas general practice, from the general practitioner and/or the practice nurse. Ninety-three percent ofpatients reported that they had received some education about diabetes at the time of diagnosis. Therewas no difference between Maori and non-Maori in the reported levels of diabetes education received,but the patient perceived knowledge score was significantly lower for Maori in all aspects studied.DISCUSSION: The overall impression was that patients were receiving appropriate information aboutdiabetes, but there does appear to be room for improvement in some areas, particularly the importanceof blood pressure and lipid control. We believe that further research on the educational needs of Maoriand ethnic minorities is needed.Keywords: Diabetes; family practice; education; New ZealandIntroductionType 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition that isassociated with increased risk of cardiovasculardisease, 1 renal disease, 2 peripheral vascular diseaseand blindness. 3 It is a disease that requires selfmanagementby the patient and so it is understoodthat when they are diagnosed they need access torelevant information about their disease. Some diabeteseducation programmes have been shown toimprove self-care, 4 glycaemic control 5,6 and generalhealth status and well-being in patients. 7,8,9 Educationprogrammes have also been used to targetthe reduction of risk factors such as weight, bloodpressure and serum lipids, 10 but with less success.Patients who are from a lower socioeconomicbackground may be less receptive to educationand less likely to implement behavioural changes11 yet often these groups are also most at risk ofdeveloping complications of diabetes. 12 Reachingdisadvantaged groups such as Maori and ethnicminorities needs to be an important considerationin all education programmes to allow the educationto be delivered as effectively as possible. 13The Waikato District Health Board serves a populationof 360 000 people, of whom 21% identifyas being Maori. It has a well developed regionaldiabetes service which provides advice for patientsJ PRIM HEALTH CARE2010;2(4):303–310.Correspondence to:Ross LawrensonProfessor, WaikatoClinical SchoolWaikato Hospital, PB 3200Hamilton, New Zealandross.lawrenson@waiktodhb.health.nzVOLUME 2 • NUMBER 4 • DECEMBER 2010 J OURNAL OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE 303