Patient education for people living with diabetes in the Philippines: A scoping review of information needs, diabetes knowledge and effectiveness of educational interventions

Abstract

Background and aims: Despite the growing burden of diabetes in the Philippines, available evidence indicates that its care and control are far from optimal, including patient education. The aim of this scoping review was to synthesize information in the available literature to describe the state of science of patient education for people living with diabetes in the Philippines, specific to educational needs, diabetes knowledge, and effectiveness of educational interventions.

Methods: Medline, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL, Pubmed and American Psychological Association PsycInfo were searched from data inception through July 2021. Studies of any methodology (qualitative/quantitative/mixed methods), sample size, and language were eligible for inclusion.

Results: Of 2021 initial citations, 7 studies were included, with all being quantitative in design and with a median Critical Appraisal Skills Program score of 8/12. Information needs were described by one study and related to self-care abilities. Diabetes knowledge was measured in 6 studies and improved significantly after educational interventions. Overall, studies showed that educational interventions significantly impacted self-efficacy, anthropometric measures, hemoglobin A1c levels, utilization of care and routine programme and attitudes regarding their health.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive and culturally appropriate educational intervention for this population. Further research is needed to develop such intervention and assess its effectiveness to change behaviour, such as increasing physical activity.

Keywords: Attitudes; Behaviour change; Diabetes mellitus type 2; Health knowledge; Patient education as topic; Philippines; Practice.