Capellari Claudia, Pinheiro da Costa Bartira E, Larre Anne, Pasin Debora, Cardoso Angelica, Vasconcelos Luísa de and Figueiredo Ana E
Glycemic control is an important factor for individuals with diabetes prevent complications such as vascular and kidney disease. Educational interventions carried out by the health team, have the potential to support the necessary change in lifestyle, adherence to treatment and a restrictive diet. The aim of this review was to investigate the educational interventions, related to glycemic control in patients with diabetes, published by health professionals in the past 10 years. The following databases were queried: Nursing Database (BDENF); Literature in the Health Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean (LILACS); Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE); Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO); Education Resources Information Center (ERIC); and, American Psychological Association (PsycINFO). The descriptors used for the search were "Diabetes" AND "self-care" AND "health education", and the period ranged from 2005 to 2015. The initial search resulted in 856 articles, which have gone through both title and summary and, then, to complete reading. After this phase, 11 articles were selected for a comprehensive review. The most cited professional in the intervention with patients was the nurse, in 09 of the 11 studies. Interventions included meeting groups, individual appointments, telephone coaching, advice by e-mail or website with informational material. Health education was predominant in all of them, and the recurring themes covered: disease knowledge, diet, glucose selfmonitoring and physical exercise. Follow-up time was of 06-36 months. The glycated hemoglobin was reduced in 09 out of the 11 articles. In conclusion, we can say that multidisciplinary interventions of health education are powerful tools for the greatest benefit to the patient, providing necessary support for coping with the disease.