A longitudinal study tested the self-determination theory (SDT) process model of health behavior change for glycemic control within a randomized trial of patient activation versus passive education. Glycosylated hemoglobin for patients with Type 2 diabetes (n=159) was assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Autonomous motivation and perceived competence were assessed at baseline and 6 months, and the autonomy supportiveness of clinical practitioners was assessed at 3 months. Perceptions of autonomy and competence were promoted by perceived autonomy support, and changes in perceptions of autonomy and competence, in turn, predicted change in glycemic control. Self-management behaviors mediated the relation between change in perceived competence and change in glycemic control. The self-determination process model fit the data well.

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Smoking cessation counseling by practitioners occurs at low rates in spite of strong evidence that counseling increases quit rates and reduces patient mortality. In a preliminary study, 1060 New York State physicians completed a survey concerning use of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) Guidelines, perceived autonomy and perceived competence for counseling, perceived autonomy support from insurers, and barriers to counseling. Considered together, perceived autonomy, perceived competence and perceived autonomy support predicted time devoted to counseling and use of the AHCPR guidelines. The primary, longitudinal study of 220 health care practitioners who attended a smoking cessation workshop predicted change in the practitioners' perceived autonomy and perceived competence for counseling as a function of the degree to which they experienced the workshop instructor as autonomy-supportive. In turn, change in perceived autonomy predicted change in time spent counseling and change in use of the AHCPR guidelines.

Diabetes self-management education (DSME) has been shown to improve health outcomes. Yet, relatively little is known about how DSME has its effects. Literature reviewed from the past 3 years indicates that if DSME is to become more effective interventions need to be theory-based, to increase patient involvement in their care, and to encompass a broader array of evidenced-based outcomes. Outcomes reviewed go beyond knowledge and glycemic control to include prevention of diabetes, quality of life, and reduction of cardiovascular risk. The ability of practitioners and health care systems to implement, adopt, and maintain patient-centered interventions over time is discussed. By linking theory to behavior, and broadening the outcomes examined, advances can continue to be made in closing the gap between the scientific base for the treatment of diabetes, and the care and outcomes patients experience. Further research on patient-centered approaches that promote self-management is seen as critical in closing this gap.