Title : Implementation of the Diabetes Plate Method to Impact Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
Abstract:
Proper management of blood sugars through dietary practices is known to improve the outcomes of the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) population. The project site noted a gap in the use of an evidence-based practice methodology to improve dietary practices. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental quality improvement project was to determine if, or to what degree, the implementation of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Diabetes Plate Method would impact fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels when compared to current practice at a family practice clinic in rural Virginia over four weeks. Dorothea Orem’s self-care deficit theory and Lewin’s planned change model provided the scientific underpinnings of this project. The data was collected from the electronic medical record among a total sample size of 14 patients with the FBG levels measured at baseline and four weeks post-implementation. A paired t-test revealed a clinical and statistically significant decrease in FBG among all participants (M =19.86; t-value=5.846; df =13; p= .001). Based on the results, the ADA’s Diabetes Plate Method may decrease FBG levels in this population. Therefore, recommendations include sustaining the project and replication of the project in a larger setting and over a longer period.
Keywords: American Diabetes Association Diabetes Plate Method, Type II Diabetes (T2DM), diabetes self-care management education, evidence-based practice, Orem’s self-care deficit theory, Lewin’s planned change model, fasting blood glucose control, and primary care diabetes management.
