Survey of Knowledge Among Primary Health Care Workers in Diabetes

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Abstract
The knowledge of diabetes mellitus held by allied health professionals in Kentucky [USA] and the short-term and long-term effectiveness of a symposium in altering this knowledge was studied. The groups investigated consisted of: 136 primary health workers (nurses, dieticians, health educators and other health professionals) surveyed before and after the 12 h symposium (group 1); 37 of these primary health professionals studied again 1 yr after the 1st symposium (group 2); and 26 nurses who work at a university hospital, and who did not attend the symposium (group 3). Before training, all groups performed similarly on this survey. Group 1 scored 58.5 .+-. 0.2% correct, group 2, 56.9 .+-. 3.1% correct and group 3, 52.7 .+-. 5.0% correct. Performance did not correlate with educational level, job description or geographic location within Kentucky. There was a negative correlation between performance and age for group 1 (r = -0.3494, P < 0.001). Follow-up studies immediately after the symposium showed that a significant improvement occurred in the performance of group 1 and group 2 on this knowledge survey (correct score .+-. standard error of the mean = 82.5 .+-. 0.3% and 8.17 .+-. 2.4% respectively, P < 0.005) compared to pretraining scores. A repeat survey of group 2 1 yr later showed a significant deterioration of knowledge (P < 0.05), but not to pretraining levels (mean correct score = 69.2 .+-. 3.4% at 1 yr vs. 56.9 .+-. 3.1% before training, P < 0.02). Evidently more emphasis on professional education in diabetes and study of effective methods for providing this education is required.

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