Using an interactive DVD about type 2 diabetes and insulin therapy in a UK South Asian community and in patient education and healthcare provider training

•A multilevel approach to dispel myths about insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes.•Integral to this was the use of an interactive educational DVD.•Statistically significant changes in attitudes among community participants.•Can help patients accept and consolidate decision to commence this treatment.•The training and resources are an effective way to support healthcare professionals.

ObjectivesTo develop and pilot-test the feasibility and effectiveness of an interactive DVD about misconceptions within South Asian communities regarding insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes, for educating patients and community members and training healthcare providers.MethodsThe project setting was a South Asian (mainly Indian) community in Leicester, UK. Qualitative evidence from our previous studies was used to inform the content of the DVD script and accompanying resources. The intervention involved three components: facilitating DVD viewings for people with/without diabetes in community settings; training healthcare providers involved in managing South Asian patients with diabetes in primary care; and using the DVD and resources in primary care patient consultations. Evaluation involved a range of approaches including face-to-face interviews, telephone feedback and questionnaires.ResultsAnalysis of questionnaires and qualitative feedback from community participants showed some significant changes in attitudes and understanding about insulin and high acceptability of the DVD. Healthcare providers who attended the training found it informative and perceived the DVD and visual resources as potentially useful for facilitating acceptance of insulin. Primary care patient recruitment was challenging, but participants described the DVD as an acceptable and informative way of learning about insulin therapy.ConclusionThe DVD intervention was effective and feasible at community and healthcare provider levels.Practice implicationsAlthough based on a small sample, at patient level our findings suggested that the DVD worked at different levels helping some to accept the need for insulin and others to consolidate a decision to commence this treatment. Consideration needs to be given to patient engagement strategies for implementation in primary care consultations.