The utilization of group-based education for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by Australian dietitians: a survey

Group-based education has the potential to substantially improve the outcomes of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and reduce the enormous burden that chronic diseases place on health care systems worldwide. Despite this proven effectiveness, the utilisation of group services for the management of T2DM by Australian dietitians is surprisingly low. This study surveyed a sample of 263 Australian Accredited Practising Dietitians (APDs) to explore the utilisation of group-based education for T2DM, as well as dietitians’ preferences for practice and training. The results of this study indicate that APDs are currently under-utilising group-based education programs for the management of T2DM, with the primary reasons identified as a lack of training provided to dietitians in the area, limited access to facilities suitable for conducting group education, the perceived poor cost effectiveness of these programs, and the lack of evidence-based practice guidelines for the group-based management of persons with T2DM. Additionally, majority preferences for further training were for either face-to-face or web-based formal training conducted over three to six hours. Clear, evidence-based practice guidelines and training resources for group education for the management of T2DM are needed in order to encourage better utilisation of group-based education by APDs.