Computer-based patient education: use by diabetes educators.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the concerns and characteristics that distinguish diabetes educators who use computers for patient education from those who do not. Three hundred certified diabetes educators who were current members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators were surveyed using the Stages of Concern Questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire compiled by the author. Results indicated that diabetes educators are interested in computer-based patient education as an educational strategy, even though most diabetes educators are not currently using the computer for patient education. Primary barriers to using computers were identified as lack of computer availability for patients and limited financial resources. Because computers are becoming more pervasive in disseminating information about diabetes and new educational software is being developed for patients, diabetes educators need to learn more about this educational methodology for teaching their patients about diabetes.