Abstract
Diet and exercise modification through type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevention programs can reduce the incidence of T2D post-intervention by up to 58%. Despite overwhelming evidence that such programs are effective, program expansion and subsequent reach are limited by time- and cost-intensive in-person training for those wishing to deliver these programs. E-learning has been shown to be a user-friendly and effective mode of increasing self-efficacy to deliver care in health professionals, but less is known within the context of T2D prevention coaches. Small Steps for Big Changes (SSBC) is a community-based T2D prevention program that guides adults with prediabetes through exercise and counselling sessions using motivational interviewing. An online course was developed to deliver training to SSBC coaches in a sustainable and engaging manner. Effectiveness of this SSBC e-learning platform was assessed by pre- and post-training questionnaires measuring user satisfaction and coaches' self-efficacy to deliver the program. Self-efficacy to deliver the program significantly increased from pre- to post e-learning training (Mpre =7.93±1.51, Mpost=9.01±1.00; p < 0.01). Participants also reported positively on the user satisfaction survey with a mean score of 4.58±0.36 on a 5-point Likert scale with 5 measuring high levels of satisfaction. These findings suggest coaches increased their confidence to deliver SSBC through their learning of knowledge and skills, and found the e-learning platform to be highly acceptable. Online delivery of training will allow for the SSBC T2D prevention program to feasibly expand to more locations, ultimately reaching more adults living with prediabetes.Acknowledgments: This research was conducted on the lands of the Syilx Nation.