title: Knowledge on diabetes and performance among health professionals in non-diabetological departments.
abstract: We tested the level of knowledge on diabetes and professional skills in a group of 60 non-diabetological health care professionals at the Policlinic of Pisa regarding the recognition and treatment of hypoglycaemia, the storage, mixing and administration of insulin, blood glucose stick monitoring, and the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot. The evaluation was carried out using a multiple-choice questionnaire and observation of the subjects, performance by means of pre-defined observation schedules, during the preparation and administration of a blend of rapid-intermediate insulin, the use of blood glucose sticks and the management of a simulated hypoglycaemic crisis. As regards hypoglycaemia, 90% of subjects did not give a correct definition, 88.3% were unaware of the existence of asymptomatic hypoglycaemia, and 96.6% did not give a complete answer as to the treatment of hypoglycaemia. For insulin, 51.7% did not know the standards for correct storage of insulin, 88.3% did not know the difference between "clear" and "opaque" insulins, and 91.7% ignored the required interval between administration of regular insulin and meals. For foot care, 45% admitted that the problems with diabetics' feet were frequently not controlled, and between 21.7% and 63.3% did not known the hygiene rules for feet. Assessment of the performance of the subjects using schedules revealed incorrect use of sticks and administration of insulin (80.2% mixed and 92.4% injected the insulin incorrectly). There is clearly a need for education of non-diabetological health professionals regarding the disease. This is supported by the health professionals themselves, 94.5% of whom wished to participate in a course on diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Malattie del Metabolismo, Università di Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piaggesi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castro Lòpez
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Giampietro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schipani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Navalesi
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000451:nursing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007558:Italy; D008880:Midwifery; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin