ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: By determining the reasons why patients with diabetes did not take diabetes educationand by analyzingthe characteristics of these patients, this study aimed to provide baseline data to improvediabetes education participation rates. METHODS: A survey was conducted in 56 patients who had been hospitalized for diabetes treatment and who had refused to take the prescribed diabetes education. The reasons for refusing diabetes education and the level of diabetes knowledge were evaluated. Medical records were also reviewed to determine the subjects' hemoglobin A1c test results. RESULTS: The most common reason for rejecting diabetes education was 'previous experiencewith diabetes education.' The subjects also refused diabetes educations due to cost and an impression that they already have sufficient diabetes knowledge. The patients who refused the education due to expenses were among the lower income group, and 80 percent of patients who had received diabetes educationin the past declined the education because of their previous experience. CONCLUSION: In order to increase the participation rates of diabetes education, it is important that patients recognize the significance of ongoing diabetes education. Furthermore, to eliminate the cost problems, national efforts are required such as promoting National Health Insurance coverage to includediabetes education as well as expanding the patients' opportunities for receiving qualified diabetes education with systematic and standardized education materials for free.