Objective To explore the effect of self-management program based on empowerment education model on diabetes patients living in rural areas. Methods Totally, 78 rural diabetes patients living in rural areas of Hubei province were selected and divided into 2 groups in chronological order of admission:the control group (June to October 2022) and the intervention group (November 2022 to March 2023),39 cases each. The intervention group was subjected to a self-management program developed based on the empowerment education model, while the control group to the conventional diabetes education program. Fasting blood glucose levels, self-management ability and attitude towards disease were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. Results Thirty-four cases in the intervention group and 35 cases in the control group completed the study. The intervention group had significantly higher scores of self-management ability and diabetes attitude, and lower fasting blood glucose level on the day of discharge, and 3 and 6 months after discharge （all P<0.05）. Conclusion The self-management program developed based on the empowerment education model can significantly improve attitude towards diabetes and blood glucose control among diabetes patients living in rural areas, and enhance their self-management ability.