Browsing by Author "Weaver, Robert"

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    An outcome evaluation of the diabetes education component of the Living Well Program
    (2013-03-15) Weaver, Robert; Hemmelgarn, Brenda; James, Matthew
    The main objectives of this thesis were to determine the associations between participation in Diabetes Essentials (DE), and change in HbA1c and the rate of hospitalizations/ED visits for diabetes-specific ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC). We linked attendance data for DE with administrative and laboratory data for Alberta, and conducted a retrospective cohort study, with the exposure being attendance at DE in the first six months after diagnosis. The study population was adults residing in the Calgary area with recently diagnosed diabetes. We conducted regression analysis using the full cohort and within a propensity-matched sample. All analytical approaches found participation in DE was associated with a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c of approximately 0.3% at follow-up. No significant association was found with the rate of hospitalizations/ED visits for diabetes-specific ACSC. Health care programs should consider interventions such as DE to help individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes improve glycemic control.