Several barriers may hinder the effective implementation and scale-up of the recommendations in this guideline. These factors may be related to the behaviours of patients (or families), the behavior of healthcare professionals, the organization of care, health service delivery or financial arrangements.
Obstacles to effective implementation include:
▪️ Patient engagement
▪️ Collaboration; person centered, team based collaboration between clinician, dietitian, pharmacist and others involved in care delivery
▪️ Behavior changes: information, guidance and support delivered easily and consistently can help assess sustained behavioral changes.
▪️ Increase Awareness through educational programs development of prediabetes educational program is recommended and should be encouraged by different healthcare sectors which may include, but not limited to, awareness days, social campaigns, and printed materials.
During the review of evidence and the development of recommendations, several research gaps were identified regarding the Egyptian population considered as a limitation of the body of evidence. Addressing these will help inform the revision of these guidelines.
1. Tailoring Interventions: Investigate the effectiveness of personalized or tailored interventions within diabetes prevention programs. Explore how individual characteristics, cultural factors, socioeconomic status, and health literacy influence program outcomes and identify strategies for optimizing intervention customization.
2. Technology-Based Approaches: Evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based interventions, such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and telehealth platforms, in enhancing diabetes prevention efforts. Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of these technologies on participant engagement, behavior change, and long-term outcomes.
3. Adherence and Retention: Investigate strategies to improve participant adherence and retention in diabetes prevention programs. Understand the factors influencing program attrition and develop interventions to enhance engagement, motivation, and long-term commitment.
4. Comparative Effectiveness: Conduct comparative effectiveness research to compare different types of diabetes prevention programs, such as group-based interventions, individual counseling, online programs, or community-based initiatives. Evaluate their relative efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for different populations.