Feedback Sheet for Participants

Diabetes educators’ confidence in exercise counseling: An examination of the effectiveness of the ‘The Physical Activity and Exercise Tool-kit’ as a key counseling resource.

Thank you for your involvement in this study.  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘Physical Activity and Exercise Tool-kit’ an empirically based, theoretically driven resource designed to help increase the ease and effectiveness of physical activity and exercise counseling and prescription by diabetes educators.  The ‘Physical Activity and Exercise Tool-kit’ was developed by Acadia researchers Drs. Fowles, Shields and Murphy, in partnership with the Diabetes Care Program of Nova Scotia (DCPNS).

The results from this study will help us to determine the effectiveness of the ‘Tool-kit’ in enhancing diabetes educators’ knowledge and awareness of physical activity and exercise and, consequently, increasing diabetes educators’ self-efficacy concerning their capacity to encourage and counsel their patients on these issues.  It will probably take approximately 6 months before the results of this study are fully analyzed.  An executive summary of the main findings of this study will be available to interested persons as of April, 2009 by e-mail (chris.shields@acadiau.ca).  In the meantime, we have included several references related to this study that may be of interest to you.

This project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through the Research Ethics Board at Acadia University.  If you have any comments or concerns resulting from your involvement in this study please contact their office at (902) 585-1498.

If you have any questions regarding the study itself, please contact Dr. Chris Shields at (902) 585-1319 or by e-mail at chris.shields@acadiau.ca.

Related References

Canadian Diabetes Association: Clinical practice guidelines for prevention and management of diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2003.

Donahue KE, Mielenz TJ, Sloane PD, Callahan LF, Devellis RF. Identifying supports and barriers to physical activity in patients at risk for diabetes. Prev Chronic Dis. 2006;3:A119.

LaMonte MJ, Blair SN, Church TS. Physical activity and diabetes prevention. J Appl Physiol. 2005;99:1205-1213.

Murphy RJL, Feltmate I, MacDougall S, Harris B, Miles S, Fowles JR. Improved type 2 diabetes patient outcomes and projected cost savings following supervised exercise training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2006;38:S422.

Plotnikoff RC. Physical activity in the management of diabetes: Population-based perspectives and strategies. Can J Diabetes. 2006;30:52-62.