Understanding primary care provider's knowledge and perceptions of diabetes self-management education and support

Christina J Dietz; Emily Doherty; John Emerson; Karen Kemper; Lior Rennert; Windsor Westbrook Sherrill

doi:10.1016/j.pcd.2024.10.005

Understanding primary care provider's knowledge and perceptions of diabetes self-management education and support

Prim Care Diabetes. 2024 Dec;18(6):637-643. doi: 10.1016/j.pcd.2024.10.005. Epub 2024 Oct 20.

Authors

Christina J Dietz¹, Emily Doherty², John Emerson³, Karen Kemper⁴, Lior Rennert⁵, Windsor Westbrook Sherrill⁶

Affiliations

¹ Division of Hospital Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner, Medical Center, 320 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Center for Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, 1111 W 17th Street, Tulsa, OK 74107, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Department of Family Medicine, Prisma Health - Upstate, 877 W Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 503 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 503 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 503 Edwards Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39433450
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2024.10.005

Abstract

Objective: The American Diabetes Association Standards of Care recommends that individuals with diabetes receive self-management education, but the utilization of these services remains low. This study explores primary care providers' knowledge and perceptions of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES).

Study design: A convergent mixed methods study design grounded in the Theoretical Domains Framework was conducted with an initial provider survey, followed by semi-structured interview of a purposeful sub-sample of providers. The survey was distributed via REDCap and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Results: A total of 140 PCP's responded to the survey (response rate 37.63 %) and 17 participated in interviews. The average knowledge score of the correct selection of DSMES referral time points was 70.35 %. Five themes emerged in provider interviews: procedural knowledge, ability, beliefs, reinforcement, and cultural norms. Providers wanted bidirectional communication with the DSMES program and were more likely to refer if they had a cultural norm of referring.

Conclusion: Providers have limited knowledge of the appropriate time to refer to DSMES but expressed a willingness to refer. They emphasized the importance of providing their patients with appropriate self-management education and support.

Keywords: Diabetes; Education; Knowledge; Self-management.

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel*
Diabetes Mellitus* / diagnosis
Diabetes Mellitus* / psychology
Diabetes Mellitus* / therapy
Female
Health Care Surveys
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Education as Topic*
Perception
Physicians, Primary Care / education
Physicians, Primary Care / psychology
Primary Health Care*
Referral and Consultation
Self Care
Self-Management