ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was intended to examine the effects of a telephone consulting program on self-efficacy and self-care in NIDDM patients. METHOD: Sixty-eight NIDDM patients participated. Thirty-six were assigned to the experimental group and received the telephone consulting program from one to two times per week for 4 weeks. This program was undertaken by base on small booklet relating to diabetic disease summary, diet, drug, exercise, foot management, prevention and treatment of complications, and insulin injection methods. RESULT: 1. Hypothesis 1 that "the experimental group who receives the telephone consulting program will have higher self-efficacy score than the control group who does not have the telephone consulting" was supported (t=5.12, p= .000). 2. Hypothesis 2 that "the experimental group who receives the telephone consulting program will have higher self-care score than the control group who does not have the telephone consulting" was supported(t=5.29, p= .000). CONCLUSION: The telephone consulting program improved self-efficacy and self-care in NIDDM patients. Accordingly, this program can be adopted as an effective nursing intervention in the care of the diabetic patients.