Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to describe the benefits of a self-help group intervention.

Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to discuss the effects of a self-help group intervention on gylcemic control and psychological well-being.

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It has been recognised that adoption of self-management skills by the person with diabetes is necessary in order to manage their diabetes. However, the most effective method for delivering education and teaching self-management skills is unclear. To assess the effects of self-help intervention on clinical, lifestyle and psycho-social outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes. Eligible adults with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to receive either diabetes education counselling only(control group) or diabetes self-help group intervention(intervention group). Of the 45 patients who completed the study, 23 were in the counselling only and 22 in the diabetes self-help group intervention. The self-help group consisted of six weekly sessions covering aspects of diabetes self-care for continuing education, discussion, and structured social activities. Outcomes included changes in glycemic control, weight, BMI(Body Mass Index), knowledge, self-management behaviors, medication adherence, depression, diabetes related self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life. We used paired t-tests to compare results within groups and analysis of covariance to compare outcomes between groups adjusting for baseline measures. Significant improvements from baseline to 6 weeks were observed in measures of glycemic control, weight, knowledge, self-management behaviors, medication adherence, depression, diabetes related self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life in the intervention group. The findings provide preliminary evidence that diabetes self-help group intervention can have benefits on glycemic control, weight, knowledge, self-management behaviors, medication adherence, depression, diabetes related self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life for diabetes patients. However, larger longitudinal studies are needed to determine the most efficacious self-management method to sustain long-term glycemic control and psychological well-being.