Introduction: One of the biggest challenges that the diabetic patients face with is learning how to live with diabetes and control daily blood glucose level. Therefore, patient education with the aim of patient empowerment in self-care, optimal blood glucose control, and ultimately promotion of quality of life is considered as one of the significant health indicators and important areas of diabetes care. Regarding this, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of using jigsaw technique on adherence to drug therapy among the patients with type II diabetes mellitus. 

Material and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 35 diabetic patients referring to diabetes clinic in Zabol, Iran, in 2015. The study population was selected through simple random sampling technique. The patients filled out the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) and demographic form. After performing the blood test for the measurement of hemoglobin A1c (Hba1c) level, the patients were divided into seven groups of five cases. Subsequently, three sessions of educational intervention was performed with one-week intervals using the jigsaw technique. After three months, MMAS was completed again and the Hba1c level was remeasured. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software.

Results: According to the results, the mean age of the participants and the mean diabetes duration were 55.48±8.86 and 11.54±5.3 years, respectively. Furthermore, the mean adherence to medication showed a significant increase in the post-intervention stage, compared to that in the pre-intervention stage (P<0.001). Additionally, the mean score of Hba1c level demonstrated a significant decrease after the intervention as compared to that before the intervention (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Regarding the obtained results, the jigsaw technique, which is an active cooperative method, can be used in patient education programs.