Effectiveness of Diabetes Self-Management Education for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Clinical Outpatient, Primary Care, and Community Settings: A Systematic Review

Background:Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, non-communicable disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) for adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in improving glycemic control and other health outcomes across clinical outpatient, primary care, and community settings.Methods:The review analyzed studies published between 2010 and 2016 from databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. The inclusion criteria focused on studies evaluating the impact of DSME on HbA1c levels, blood pressure, BMI, and quality of life in adults with T2DM.Results:Among the seven studies included, five demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c levels in the intervention groups compared to control groups. Secondary outcomes such as BMI, blood pressure, and self-management behaviors also showed improvement in the short-term, though these effects were less sustained over long follow-up periods.Conclusion:The review suggests that DSME is effective in reducing HbA1c levels and improving self-management behaviors in the short term. However, there is limited evidence of long-term benefits, and further research is needed to optimize the delivery and duration of DSME programs.