Development and Testing of Materials

How were the Diabetes Resource Bank materials developed?

• The materials were developed in a highly collaborative process. Under the direction and guidance of the Awareness and Education Workgroup of the Oregon Diabetes Coalition, many organizations and individuals throughout Oregon contributed to developing and refining the Oregon Diabetes Resource Bank materials.
• Contributors are a diverse group. Participants include physicians, nurses, health educators, diabetes educators, community health organizations (including organizations that represent minority populations), American Indian tribal coordinators, health plan quality improvement coordinators, people with diabetes, and caregivers of people with diabetes.
• Development was guided by needs assessment and extensive feedback from the intended users of the materials. The project began with a needs assessment to identify topics of highest priority and preferences for length, format, and other features of the materials. After a series of extensive meetings with the Oregon Diabetes Coalition’s Awareness and Education Workgroup, the Coalition decided to create a new set of brief information sheets for the resource bank. These new materials were written, tested, and revised with assistance from McGee & Evers Consulting, Inc.

How were the materials tested?

• Draft versions were tested directly with consumers for appeal, comprehension, and ease of use. The materials were developed and revised based in part on the results from at least two rounds of individual and group interviews with consumers of different ages, backgrounds, and experience with diabetes.
• Feedback of draft versions was also obtained from clinicians, health educators, and others from around the state of Oregon who were interested in using the materials with patients or clients. This feedback provided extremely helpful suggestions for improving the materials.
• The final materials were scored for difficulty of words and sentences using a readability formula. They scored as “easy” (4^th to 6^th grade) or “average” difficulty (7^th to 8^th grade) for words and sentences, depending on the piece. For details, click on this link: Scoring the materials for difficulty of words and sentences. What about clinical accuracy of the materials?
• The materials are designed to be consistent with established national standards for treatment of diabetes. Diabetes Resource Bank materials are based on:
  • Measuring Quality of Care in Health Systems - Oregon Population-Based Guidelines for Diabetes Mellitus (4^th Edition, 2006), by the Oregon Population-Based Guidelines Advisory Panel and Oregon Diabetes Coalition, Oregon Department of Human Services
  • Oregon’s Action Plan for Diabetes: Improving the Health and Quality of Life of Oregonians Affected by Diabetes (Oregon Diabetes Coalition, 2005).
• The materials have been reviewed and approved by the state of Oregon Diabetes Program medical advisors.
• Materials are reviewed and updated periodically. Please visit this website regularly to be sure that you are using the most recent versions of the materials.