Diabetes mellitus treatment-Related medical knowledge among health care providers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the knowledge of physicians, residents and medical students in diagnosis, use of insulin and oral medication in management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) working in different healthcare specialties.


METHODS
A cross sectional survey of faculty, residents and medical students of different subspecialties in a single center was conducted. Questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used. These questions were designed to assess knowledge about diagnosis, nomenclature of different insulin/oral medications and management of DM. There were 4 answers to every question with only one correct answer based on ADA guidelines and most recent literature.


RESULTS
The overall percentage correctly answered questions was ∼74% for IM faculty, 64% for EM faculty, 71% for IM residents, 60% for FM residents, 56% for EM residents and 59% for students. Questions based on knowledge of insulin nomenclature and characteristics were answered correctly 74% of the time by IM faculty, 62% by EM faculty, 66% by IM residents, 69% by FM residents, 45% by EM residents and 49% by medical students. Questions on the use of insulin and inpatient DM management were answered correctly 66% for IM faculty, 54% for EM faculty, 66% for IM residents, 46% for FM residents, 55% for EM Residents, and 44% medical students. Questions based on oral medications and DM diagnosis were answered correctly by 81% for IM faculty, 73% for EM faculty, 78% for IM Resident, 76% FM Resident, 64% for EM residents and 79% for students.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the need for focused educational initiatives required in all subspecialties involved in management of diabetes mellitus for safe and efficient management of diabetes mellitus.
Department of Internal Medicine, New York Medical College at St Joseph's Regional Medical Center, 703 Main Street Paterson, NJ, 07503, USA.
Leena
L
Shahla
Department of Internal Medicine, New York Medical College at St Joseph's Regional Medical Center, 703 Main Street Paterson, NJ, 07503, USA. Electronic address: drrahulvasudev@gmail.com.
Rahul
R
Vasudev
Department of Internal Medicine, New York Medical College at St Joseph's Regional Medical Center, 703 Main Street Paterson, NJ, 07503, USA.
Chandrika
C
Chitturi
Department of Internal Medicine, New York Medical College at St Joseph's Regional Medical Center, 703 Main Street Paterson, NJ, 07503, USA.
Cindy
C
Rodriguez
Department of Internal Medicine, New York Medical College at St Joseph's Regional Medical Center, 703 Main Street Paterson, NJ, 07503, USA.
Namrata
N
Paul
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents
Diabetes education; Diabetes mellitus; Knowledge attitude practice