Assessment of diabetes knowledge

Published Date: 19th July 2016

Publication Authors: Cardwell J, Hardy KJ

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Abstract

In the UK, approximately 12–25% of all hospital inpatients have diabetes, although most are admitted for other health problems. People with diabetes often have a prolonged hospital stay compared to people without the condition, often as a result of suboptimal inpatient management of their diabetes. During in-depth interviews conducted in the authors’ hospital, inpatients reported that ward staff lacked basic knowledge to manage the condition. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to assess diabetes knowledge in trained and untrained ward nurses. Both groups were found to lack the basic knowledge required to manage inpatients with diabetes, as were student nurses approaching the end of their training. However, a programme of intensive specialist support and education for ward staff rapidly improved knowledge and confidence in managing diabetes.

Cardwell, J; Hardy, K; Ford, N; O'Brien, S. (2016). Assessment of diabetes knowledge in trained and untrained ward nurses before and after intensive specialist support​ . Journal of Diabetes Nursing. 20 (2), 60-64.

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