Evaluating a Structured Self‐Management Kit for Type 2 Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Service Evaluation in Primary Care
5 affiliations
- 1University College London London UK
- 2University of Southampton Southampton UK
- 3Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent ICB Staffordshire UK
- 4Reading Central PCN Reading UK
- 5Staffordshire University Stoke‐on‐Trent UK
Abstract
Rationale, Aims and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes places increasing pressure on health services, and engagement with structured education and routine preventative care remains variable. Practical self‐management tools may help people translate advice into daily routines. This service evaluation examined the implementation, acceptability and early outcomes of the MyHealthKits Diabetic Wellness Kit in routine primary care.
Method: A prospective convergent mixed methods service evaluation was conducted across 13 general practices within three Primary Care Networks in Staffordshire and Stoke‐on‐Trent. Adults with type 2 diabetes received a Diabetic Wellness Kit containing foot care tools, educational materials and access to online resources. Health‐related quality of life and healthcare use were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks using EQ‐5D‐5L and MODRUM questionnaires. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, with paired EQ‐5D utility change assessed using a paired t‐test. Semi‐structured interviews with a purposive sample explored usability and perceived impact and were analysed thematically.
Results: A total of 782 kits were distributed. Of these, 131 participants completed both baseline and follow‐up questionnaires; three were excluded because they reported not receiving the kit, leaving 128 in the primary analysis cohort. Mean EQ‐ 5D utility scores increased from 0.61 to 0.70, with 65% of complete responders reporting improvement. Self‐reported healthcare use was lower across all service categories, with an estimated mean cost difference of £288 per participant. Sensitivity analyses excluding inpatient episodes, and excluding both inpatient episodes and day case appointments, gave estimated mean cost differences of £186 and £183 respectively. Qualitative findings indicated improved self‐efficacy, daily care routines, confidence and independence.
Conclusion: The kit was feasible, acceptable and associated with early improvements in reported wellbeing and self‐management. Findings should be interpreted cautiously because the evaluation had no control group, high attrition, short follow‐up, and self‐reported healthcare use. Further controlled studies with longer follow‐up and verified healthcare use data are needed.
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BibTeX
@article{nachiappan2026evaluating,
title = {{Evaluating a Structured Self‐Management Kit for Type 2 Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Service Evaluation in Primary Care}},
author = {Nitish Nachiappan and David A. Scott and Mark Stone and Nachiappan Chockalingam},
journal = {Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1111/jep.70724},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.70724},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Evaluating a Structured Self‐Management Kit for Type 2 Diabetes: A Mixed Methods Service Evaluation in Primary Care
AU - Nitish Nachiappan
AU - David A. Scott
AU - Mark Stone
AU - Nachiappan Chockalingam
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
DO - 10.1111/jep.70724
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.70724
AB - Rationale, Aims and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes places increasing pressure on health services, and engagement with structured education and routine preventative care remains variable. Practical self‐management tools may help people translate advice into daily routines. This service evaluation examined the implementation, acceptability and early outcomes of the MyHealthKits Diabetic Wellness Kit in routine primary care. Method: A prospective convergent mixed methods service evaluation was conducted across 13 general practices within three Primary Care Networks in Staffordshire and Stoke‐on‐Trent. Adults with type 2 diabetes received a Diabetic Wellness Kit containing foot care tools, educational materials and access to online resources. Health‐related quality of life and healthcare use were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks using EQ‐5D‐5L and MODRUM questionnaires. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, with paired EQ‐5D utility change assessed using a paired t‐test. Semi‐structured interviews with a purposive sample explored usability and perceived impact and were analysed thematically. Results: A total of 782 kits were distributed. Of these, 131 participants completed both baseline and follow‐up questionnaires; three were excluded because they reported not receiving the kit, leaving 128 in the primary analysis cohort. Mean EQ‐ 5D utility scores increased from 0.61 to 0.70, with 65% of complete responders reporting improvement. Self‐reported healthcare use was lower across all service categories, with an estimated mean cost difference of £288 per participant. Sensitivity analyses excluding inpatient episodes, and excluding both inpatient episodes and day case appointments, gave estimated mean cost differences of £186 and £183 respectively. Qualitative findings indicated improved self‐efficacy, daily care routines, confidence and independence. Conclusion: The kit was feasible, acceptable and associated with early improvements in reported wellbeing and self‐management. Findings should be interpreted cautiously because the evaluation had no control group, high attrition, short follow‐up, and self‐reported healthcare use. Further controlled studies with longer follow‐up and verified healthcare use data are needed.
SN - 1356-1294
SN - 1365-2753
ER -