title: Nurses' perceived and actual level of diabetes mellitus knowledge: results of a cluster analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nurses' perceived and actual diabetes knowledge was explored by identifying profiles of nurses working in two hospitals in Hong Kong. Relationships between nurses' perceived and actual diabetes knowledge are explored.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In non-specialist clinical settings in Hong Kong, nurses provide diabetes self-management education to patients, therefore, nurse's knowledge and skill in giving diabetes care is very important. Though patients' perceptions are important, if patients solely select and set their own priorities for learning about and managing diabetes, their care could be compromised by knowledge deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive correlational survey was conducted during the period September 2004 to July 2005 in two local hospitals in Hong Kong. 245 nurses completed a structured questionnaire. Nurses' demographic data, competence, perceived and actual diabetes mellitus knowledge were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-step cluster analysis yielded three clusters: Cluster 1 nurses were characterized by relatively good competence and high diabetes knowledge than nurses in Clusters 2 and 3. Cluster 3 nurses reported low competence and diabetes knowledge than nurses in Clusters 1 and 2. Cluster 2 was a large group of nurses holding both positive and moderate competence and diabetes knowledge. Statistically significant differences were found between clusters. Overall, nurses' perceived diabetes knowledge was statistically significant correlated with actual knowledge (r(s) = 0.32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses have the responsibility to educate patients with correct and updated information, therefore, knowledge should be provided and maintained to a certain standard.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lack of knowledge among nursing staff has contributed to diabetes patients receiving inadequate health care instruction. As indicated by the results of this study, 'tailor-made' educational programmes should be designed to meet the learning needs of each subgroup. Expertise and nurse education should be recognized when such educational programmes are designed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. hsmfchan@inet.polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Moon Fai
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Yu-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zang
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000451:nursing*; D004506:Education, Nursing; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic