Results: It is expected that individual and group experiences may influence patient attitudes about diabetes to different degrees. A randomized controlled study is underway to evaluate two different types of educational interventions (groups using Conversation Maps™ versus individual) compared to usual care for patients with pre-existing type 2 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control (A1c > 7%). The purpose of this analysis is to determine if there are correlations at baseline between patient attitudes toward diabetes and clinical, behavioral, and self-efficacy outcomes. At the randomization visit, 167 female and 172 male patients (mean age 63 years, mean A1c 8.1) who were enrolled in 2008 in the Merck funded Journey for Control of Diabetes IDEA Study completed a baseline survey. The following validated instruments were embedded in the survey: (1) Diabetes Attitude Score (a section of the Diabetes Care Profile from Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center) (2) Recommended Food Score (RFS) (3) Physical Activity Level (from BRFSS) (4) Diabetes Empowerment Scale Short Form (DES-SF). Pearson correlations were used to assess associations between patient attitudes and the most recent A1c, diet, physical activity, and self-efficacy at baseline. We found modest, statistically significant correlations between attitudes and self-efficacy (Table). A1c, diet and physical activity were correlated, albeit weakly, in hypothesized directions. We confirm from this analysis that a patient's attitude towards diabetes (including fears and feelings) is an important variable in determining self-efficacy and other patient outcomes. Attention to how educational and care strategies positively or negatively impact patient attitude may be important to obtaining desired improvement in patient behaviors and clinical outcomes.

Correlation coefficients

Attitude Dimension A1c Diet Score (RFS) Physical Activity Self-Efficacy

Positive Attitude -0.24* 0.03 0.12* 0.39*
Negative Attitude 0.17* -0.11 -0.10 -0.35*
Care Ability -0.33 0.09 0.21* 0.44*
Importance of Care -0.01 0.06 0.01 0.22
Self-care Adherence -0.30* 0.12* 0.19* 0.44*
*p<0.05