Ace the CDCES Challenge 2026 – Master Diabetes Care and Education with Confidence!

The most effective instructional strategy for ensuring patient retention of information is small group discussion where patients teach each other after a demonstration. This approach leverages the concept of active learning, where participants are not just passive recipients of information but engage in dialogue, share perspectives, and reinforce their understanding by explaining concepts to their peers. Teaching others helps solidify one's own knowledge and creates a collaborative learning environment that enhances retention.

In small group discussions, individuals can clarify doubts, ask questions, and gain diverse insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of the material. The demonstration aspect adds a hands-on element, making it easier for patients to relate the information to real-life applications, further enhancing comprehension and retention.

In contrast, while slide show presentations can captivate attention, they may not facilitate active engagement or promote discussion, leading to less effective retention. Booklets with colored diagrams can be useful for review; however, they primarily serve as passive resources unless coupled with active engagement. One-on-one conversations with rephrasing can aid understanding but may lack the collaborative benefits found in group discussions, where learners reinforce each other's knowledge. Small group discussions create a dynamic environment that is most conducive to lasting learning.