The effectiveness of diabetes training of psychiatric health professionals on individuals with diabetes and psychiatric disorders - a pragmatic controlled trial in Denmark

Background: Individuals with diabetes and co-existing psychiatric disorders have more diabetes complications and lower life expectancy than those with diabetes but no co-existing psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric health professionals may have a role in improving these outcomes but often lack diabetes knowledge and skills. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a diabetes training course for psychiatric health professionals on their diabetes knowledge and skills and clinical outcomes, diabetes support and diabetes distress among individuals with diabetes and psychiatric disorders treated in psychiatric outpatient clinics.

Methods: A pragmatic non-randomized controlled cluster trial was conducted in eight psychiatric outpatient clinics in Denmark. All psychiatric health professionals from four clinics participated in the diabetes training course (the intervention) and completed a questionnaire on experience of the training course and a 20-item pre- and post-test to measure diabetes knowledge and skills. Difference in pre- and post-tests were analyzed using t-tests. From August 2018 - June 2019, individuals with diabetes were recruited from the intervention clinics (n = 49) and from four control clinics continuing usual clinical practice (n = 57). Differences in clinical outcomes, diabetes support and diabetes distress between the intervention and control groups at six and 12 months after the training course, were analyzed using logistic and linear regression models adjusted for baseline levels.

Results: Psychiatric health professionals (n = 64) had more correct answers after completing the course, with a mean increase of 6.3 [95% CI 5.6 to 7.0] correct answers. A total of 49 and 57 individuals were recruited for the intervention and control group, respectively. At follow-up, individuals treated in the intervention group had lower levels (clinical improvement) of systolic blood pressure, but had lower receipt of annual assessment of blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) (worsening of process measures). While there were observed differences in odds and means for several other outcomes, none of these received statistical significance (see Table 2 and Fig. 2).

Conclusions: Training psychiatric health professionals in diabetes care improved their diabetes knowledge and skills and improved clinical levels of systolic blood pressure in individuals treated in the intervention group. However, this training intervention was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving annual assessment of blood pressure and BMI.

Trial registration: ISRCTN registry registration number ISRCTN15523920, registration date: 02/10/2019.