Evaluation of Programmed Education Among Juvenile Diabetics and Their Families

Patient education and involvement is a vital part of quality medical care in chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. In this study the acceptance and effectiveness of programmed machine instruction was evaluated. Young diabetics and their parents can be taught about the disease and its control using an automated technic. There was no objective evidence to indicate control of the disease was significantly improved over a brief period of three months. Patients and parents participating in this study expressed acceptance of programmed instruction as a valuable adjunct to the total education process but stated that this technic should not be the sole educational method employed.