Product Description:
Many working adults with diabetes face major barriers to effective disease self management. The Hawaii Demonstration to Maintain Independence and Employment was a randomized controlled trial providing treatment group participants with individual life coaching and a pharmacist counseling while tracking health and employment outcomes. Self-reported diabetes self-efficacy, quality of life, functioning, hours worked, work productivity, and use of government services data were obtained at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Additional health information was obtained from healthcare providers. Generalized linear models for repeated measures are being used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. Surveys and focus groups were used to obtain participant perceptions about the intervention. 190 employed individuals diagnosed with diabetes or with indication of uncontrolled blood sugar were enrolled. Preliminary results show that body mass index and diabetes self-efficacy changes were significantly improved in the treatment group (p < 0.05). Treatment group participants reported greater work productivity improvements. Diabetes management improvements were frequently attributed to increased accountability and goal setting with a life coach, as well as nutrition and diabetes education provided by pharmacists. This presentation will discuss how participant engagement, perceptions, and intervention components may have influenced employment and health indicators. A diabetes management intervention was well received by participants and showed the potential to delay functional decline and reliance on government assistance programs. Findings have implications for employers, health care providers, and professionals using early intervention models intended to prevent disability and support the ongoing employment of individuals with chronic conditions. The use of Life Coaching and Pharmacists as counselors is an emerging service delivery approach. Further RCT research is warranted to determine the viability of this model for chronic disease management. Cost effective analysis would also be valuable.
