EFFECT OF FAMILY-CENTERED EDUCATION ON IMPROVING TREATMENT ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 DIABETES: A CLINICAL TRIAL

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders worldwide, and a lack of proper management can result in serious consequences for patients. Adherence to treatment can have a significant effect in preventing the consequences. This study was carried out to determine the effect of family-centered education on treatment adherence in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Urmia Diabetes Association in 2019. Sixty patients with T1DM were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly allocated into intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. Demographic Questionnaire and Modanloo Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire (MATQ) were used to collect data. The patients in the control group only received the routine educations of the Urmia Diabetes Association. However, the patients in the intervention group received these routine educations along with 12 family-centered educational sessions. Data were analyzed with SPSS software ver. 20, using descriptive and inferential statistics.

There was a significant difference between the mean score for treatment adherence of the two groups after the intervention (p<0.001). The mean score of treatment adherence significantly increased in the intervention group after family-centered education.

Family-centered education can positively affect adherence to treatment in patients. Hence, educating and empowering patients with T1DM and their families can significantly reduce the negative consequences of disease and medical costs, and it also improves their quality of life.