ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reach and effectiveness of a diabetes self-management DVD compared to classroom-based instruction. METHODS: A hybrid preference/randomized design was used with participants assigned to Choice v. Randomized and DVD v. Class conditions. One hundred and eighty-nine adults with type 2 diabetes participated. Key outcomes included self-management behaviours, process measures including DVD implementation and hypothesized mediators and clinical risk factors. RESULTS: In the Choice condition, four times as many participants chose the mailed DVD as selected Class-based instruction (38.8 v. 9.4%, p<0.001). At the 6-month follow-up, the DVD produced results generally not significantly different than classroom-based instruction, but a combined Class plus DVD condition did not improve outcomes beyond those produced by the classes alone. DISCUSSION: The DVD appears to have merit as an efficient and appealing alternative to brief classroom-based diabetes education, and the hybrid design is recommended to provide estimates of programme reach.
