Hospitalization still plays a major part in the management of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and its complications. In this article, we assess the effects of self-management education on the individual practices of 42 patients after discharge from specialized diabetes units on the French island of Reunion. Hospitalization offers respite and temporarily suspends the realities of daily life. When patients leave the unit where they have acquired new knowledge and practices, the extent to which the latter can be maintained depends on the practice in question, the individual's circumstances, and his or her social relationships and support systems. In the longer term, therefore, the effects of self-management education interventions can be weak. The study findings reveal the complexities surrounding the acquisition of habits that maintain health and prevent illness. The article makes a significant contribution to the debate on patient support and the role of inpatient educational units.
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