The Effect of Teach-Back Method on Health Promoting Lifestyle of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes is the most prevalent metabolic disease in human being. The lifestyle of this population is important and effective in the treatment process. Training is among the most basic methods of prevention, treatment and control of chronic diseases, including diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of teach-back method on health promoting lifestyle of people with diabetes. Methods: A total of 74 eligible patients with type II diabetes were included in the study from Endocrine and Metabolism Clinic by convenience sampling method. The subjects were then assigned into the control and intervention groups. The data collection instruments consisted of a demographic data form and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) that were provided to the subjects before and 1 month after the training. Subjects in the intervention group received a 4-session training program by means of teach-back method. The control group received only routine programs. One month after the completion of the training sessions, the questionnaires were completed by the subjects in the 2 groups. The obtained data were analyzed by Chi-square test, Fisher Exact test, Independent t-test, Paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, using SPSS.  Results: The obtained results suggested no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of demographic and dependent variables, before conducting the intervention. The Mean±SD score of lifestyle was 113.67±19.55 in the intervention group and 115.35±9.73 in the control group, before the training, which was not significant. However, there was a difference between the Mean±SD score of lifestyle in the intervention group (160.45±10.53) and control group (119.59±11.23), 1 month after the training (P<0.001).  Conclusion: Teach-back method is appropriate and feasible for patients with diabetes and is an effective method to improve the lifestyle of this population. This study was conducted over a 1-month period, and it is recommended that the effect of this method be investigated over longer periods of time in order to assess its long-term effects.