Barriers to Effective Diabetes Self-Management Education

Introduction: Self-management education is the key component of diabetes care. Furthermore, high levels of patient non-compliance or non-adherence to the treatment regimen suggest that patient education for self-management is faced with some shortcomings. This study aimed to identify barriers to effective diabetes self-management education. Methods: This is a traditional review of published studies during 1990-2010 on barriers to diabetes self-management and control. Electronic search through Iranian and international databases was done. Results: Barriers to effective diabetes self-management education were put in two main categories including patient-related barriers and caregiver-related barriers. The most common patient-related barriers are demographic barriers (such as age, sex, education, and health literacy), financial problems, lack of attention to the disease, psychological problems, and insufficient knowledge. Patient-caregiver relationship, inadequate knowledge, and high workload were caregiver-related barriers. Conclusion: The results of this review introduced a variety of factors that can affect the effectiveness of diabetes self-management education. Patients and caregivers are facing serious challenges due to these barriers. Understanding and attemping to overcome these barriers may help us to empower patients to achieve self-management.