Table 1 List of variables, measuring instruments and data sources
| Â | Variable | Instrument | Data collection method |
|---|---|---|---|
Health outcome indicators | Â | Â | |
| Â | HbA1C | DCA Vantage (Siemens) | Blood samples taken by trained field researchers, analysed by laboratory staff at location. Results on a patient record form |
| Â | Blood pressure | Electronic sphygmomanometer from certified manufacturer, study Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) | By trained field researchers, on patient record form |
| Â | BMI | Height and weight measured by research staff, study SOP | By trained field researchers, on patient record form |
| Â | Waist/Hip ratio | Conventional measuring tape according to study-SOP | By trained field researchers, on patient record form |
| Â | Diabetic foot lesions (nr) | Number of active wounds on both feet, detected through systematic examination by trained research staff | By trained field researchers, on patient record form |
Access to care indicators | Â | Â | |
| Â | Attendance of DSME and medical care | Self-report over 12-month period: number of educator-contacts (check DSME patient records), visits to medical doctor, kidney-function test | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q28, 30, 31) |
| Â | Total medical expenditure | Self-report | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q32 a+b) |
| Â | Total time for h care visits | Self-report | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers ( Q32c+d) |
Quality of support indicators | Â | Â | |
| Â | Perceived Quality of Care DSME | PACIC score (Glasgow et al. [33]) | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q33a-t) |
| Â | DSME needs and services | 6-elements questionnaire, inspired by Diabetes Care Profile [34] | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q34+35) |
| Â | Enablement through DSME | Patient enablement score [35] | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q36) |
Empowerment indicators | Â | Â | |
| Â | Level of knowledge on diabetes (care) | Diabetes Knowledge Score, adapted from Brief Diabetes Knowledge Test & the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire ([36, 37]) | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q13) |
| Â | Attitude towards diabetes | Attitude scale Diabetes Care Profile [34] | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q14) |
| Â | Feeling of control | Control scale from Diabetes Care Profile [34] | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q15a-d) |
Self-management behaviour | Â | Â | |
| Â | Adherence to glucose monitoring & control | Self-report of last time self-monitoring, professional monitoring, medication taking | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q16-25) |
| Â | Adherence to exercise & diet | Self-report | Interviews with paper questionnaire, by researchers (Q38/37, 41) |
Process indicators | Â | Â | |
| Â | Number of SMS sent (ProjIC) to participant | Database that is used to send out ProjIC | Assessment by the project manager |
| Â | Number and type (call or SMS) of PatIC to educators | Telephone provider records | Assessment by the project manager |
| Â | intervention cost at DSMS programme level | Extraction from data from project documents | Collected by country research team |
Context characteristics | Â | Â | |
Diabetes prevalence, phone penetration, literacy rate, DSME programme characteristics | extraction from data from project documents, country-related publications and other secondary data | Collected by country research team | Â |
| Â | Knowledge and professional habits of diabetes care providers | Provider Profile, Diabetes Management Practices and Brief Diabetes Knowledge & Practice Test (adapted from ([38]) | Written self-administered questionnaire to health providers |