Development and preliminary evaluation of a simulation-based diabetes education module

Many Individuals with type II Diabetes fail to self-manage their disease effectively. Faulty Mental Models of the disease and of the role of lifestyle have been implicated as one cause. Simulation based education could help to provide better mental models of the disease and the effects of behavior on glycemia. We have developed a simulation-based module designed to educate and motivate individuals with DM II. In this paper we describe the development of our simulation-based education module as well as a formative evaluation of an introductory module's understandability. Implications regarding web based education materials are discussed.