Addressing attitudes during diabetes education: suggestions from adult education

Suggestions from adult education can improve the effectiveness of diabetes education programs. While information and knowledge are noted as important factors in diabetes education, the literature indicates that they are insufficient to insure improved treatment outcomes. Research suggests that addressing psychosocial variables can improve diabetes education effectiveness. Although there are a multitude of psychosocial variables, attitude is consistently identified as an important contributor to positive diabetes management. Practical suggestions from adult education are offered to improve the learner's attitude about diabetes, the learning process, and the instructor.