The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is developing an educational module to support individuals with type 2 diabetes in managing their health independently, called EduDiaCare. The study is led by Dr. Nida Ul Hasanat, M.Si., Psikolog, together with a team of experts from various disciplines. The aim is to produce a practical, research-based guide that helps patients better understand and care for themselves in daily life.
This initiative responds to the high number of people with diabetes in Indonesia and worldwide, as well as the lack of easy-to-understand and proven-effective educational guidance. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that cannot be cured but can be controlled through lifestyle changes, dietary regulation, physical activity, and stress management. Without proper management, diabetes can lead to serious complications and reduce quality of life.
A growing body of research shows that health education combined with psychological approaches can help patients maintain blood glucose levels and enhance well-being. Accordingly, EduDiaCare is designed not only to provide medical information but also to help patients understand themselves, overcome barriers, and build sustainable healthy habits.
The primary goal of this research is to produce an EduDiaCare module that is conceptually robust and easy to implement in real-world settings. Its content covers key aspects of diabetes management, including diet, medication adherence, physical activity, and strategies for managing stress and emotions.
The research team employs the Health Belief Model (HBM), a health psychology framework that explains how individuals perceive disease risk and become motivated to change. Guided by HBM, EduDiaCare is structured to align with how patients think and make everyday decisions. The hope is that the module will not only increase knowledge but also strengthen motivation and self-efficacy for managing health.
The research proceeds in two main stages. The first stage focuses on developing the module content, beginning with a literature review, drafting, and expert consultations to ensure alignment with psychological theory and medical practice. The second stage involves testing by a panel of 10 experts from internal medicine, nursing, clinical psychology, and health psychology. The experts provide quantitative ratings and qualitative feedback to improve clarity, content relevance, and user comprehensibility. Following this stage, the team conducts revisions and a limited readability test before preparing the final version.
In addition to Dr. Nida, the team includes Prof. Dra. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti, M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., Psikolog, and Prof. Em. Gilles van Luijtelaar (Radboud University, the Netherlands). Two graduate students, Martaria Rizky Rinaldi and Moniek Vidia Pramesti, actively contribute to content development, coordination of assessments, and data analysis. This cross-generational involvement is expected to support research continuity and strengthen academic capacity in health psychology in Indonesia.
The final outputs will include the finalized EduDiaCare module, an Intellectual Property (IP) filing, and a scientific publication in a reputable international journal. The module is expected to serve as a practical guide for psychologists and health professionals in supporting people with diabetes. EduDiaCare helps patients identify personal barriers, regulate emotions, and gradually change daily habits. Thus, its benefits extend beyond knowledge gains to tangible behavioral changes and improved quality of life.
This research is funded by the 2025 Research Grant of the Faculty of Psychology, UGM. Through this work, the Faculty demonstrates its commitment to making a meaningful contribution to society, particularly by empowering people with diabetes to better manage their health.
With EduDiaCare, a more directed, standardized, and self-empowerment-focused support ecosystem for people with diabetes is anticipated to emerge, while also opening avenues for further research across diverse health services in Indonesia.
Writer: Raden Roro Anisa Anggi Dinda