Effectiveness of Student-Led Interventions on Improving Diabetes Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Background: Diabetes education and treatment is a public health priority. Student-delivered strategies have the potential to offer low-cost, high-quality healthcare services to underserved patients while giving students practice experience. However, the effectiveness of these interventions is unknown. Purpose: To document study characteristics and the effectiveness of student-delivered interventions on diabetes health outcomes. Methods: Databases searched included Medline, CINAHL Plus, and others. Appropriate keywords/subject headings were used to identify studies meeting inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data which were compared, and conflicts resolved by discussion. Results: Seven studies met inclusion criteria. Six had statistically significant improvement in outcomes including HbA1c, a long-term glycemic control indicator (n = 4), blood pressure (n = 3), physical activity (n = 1), and exercise stage of change (n = 1). Studies involved medical (n = 3), pharmacy (n = 2), nursing (n = 1), and exercise science (n = 1) students. Studies with improved outcomes tended to have more patient contact. Discussion: This review provides evidence that student-led diabetes interventions may be effective at improving outcomes, although studies reviewed are limited by lack of comparison groups and representative samples. Translation to Health Education Practice: Student-delivered diabetes interventions: may improve outcomes, especially with adequate patient contact time. Studies of theory- and evidence-based student-led diabetes interventions involving health education/promotion students are warranted.