Monitoring behavioral changes in diabetes care with the diabetes self-management record.

An evaluation instrument called the diabetes self-management record has been developed to better document the positive behavioral changes associated with diabetes education programming. This record is a simple behavior monitoring system that awards points for positive behaviors associated with exercise, glucose monitoring, and nutrition management. A group of 39 adults with diabetes monitored their behaviors with the record prior to, immediately after, and 4 to 6 weeks following a diabetes education programming course. Overall diabetes management scores were higher (mean +/- SEM = 56.2 +/- 3.5 vs 66.3 +/- 2.9) following the educational intervention, as well as specific behavioral scores for exercise, glucose monitoring, fat consumption, refined sugar/carbohydrate consumption, and eating behavior. These behaviors were maintained for at least 4 to 6 weeks postprogramming. The diabetes self-management record can be used as an adjunct to diabetes education programming, as an evaluator of the educational intervention, and/or as a behavior monitoring tool for diabetes self-management.