How do newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes in the Waikato get their diabetes education?

Introduction: 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 the patient's perspective. Aim: To ascertain the sources of education for patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes; what education was received and what were the patients' views of group education. delivery of education to Maori was compared with non-Maori. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of patients identified from the Waikato Regional diabetes service database. Patients identified in one calendar year, having a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and being aged between 20 and 89 years were included in the survey. Patients were sent a four-page questionnaire. non-responders were followed up by telephone. Results: 333/667 patients (50%) responded. The principal source of education for Waikato patients was general practice, from the general practitioner and/or the practice nurse. ninety-three percent of patients reported that they had received some education about diabetes at the time of diagnosis. There was 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 about diabetes, but there does appear to be room for improvement in some areas, particularly the importance of blood pressure and lipid control. We believe that further research on the educational needs of Maori and ethnic minorities is needed.