New Study Looks for Best Information Delivery System

When a parent learns that one of their children has diabetes, a million questions go through their mind.

Questions like, "Will they still be able to play sports?" or, "Will our family still be able to enjoy our favorite treats?" and especially, "Will he be OK?"

A new study done at Louisiana Tech University by assistant professor of family and child studies Dr. Heather McCollum hopes to answer these and other questions in the best possible way. The nine-month study, which was started in May, is looking at several different was to present information to families who have had a member recently diagnosed with the disease.

Patients were divided randomly into three subject groups. Each group was presented with different ways to learn about diabetes. McCollum said:


"We're trying to find out which means of providing information is the most effective in helping these patients with a self-management intervention program. We'll keep track of how they get their information and what websites they might go to along with things like their weight and blood sugar levels."

Better Management is the Goal

Most people newly diagnosed with diabeties initially have a difficult time keeping their blood sugar within acceptable limits. Some of this is the body adjusting to the medications, but much of this is due to getting used to their new routine.

Testing your blood sugar is one of the most difficult changes to make, but according to David K. McCulloch, MD, it is also one of the best ways to know how well your treatment plan is working. He is the Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington.


"It's going to be interesting to see what our final results are," says McCollum. “and how we can find ways to help patients gain knowledge to help control their diabetes."

Sources:
http://www.uptodate.com/contents/self-blood-glucose-monitoring-in-diabet...
http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20120803/NEWS01/208030323


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