Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of Postgraduate Medical Trainees Regarding Patient Care in Diabetes and Hypertension

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are common chronic illnesses that need to be effectively managed. To improve patient outcomes, healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are essential.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the KAP of postgraduate medical trainees regarding the management of diabetes and hypertension.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted over one year from January 2023 to December 2023. The study participants were 384 postgraduate medical trainees who fulfilled the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A validated questionnaire that evaluated attitudes toward patient-centered care, knowledge of clinical guidelines, and illness management methods was used to gather data. SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for statistical analysis to investigate correlations between KAP levels and demographic characteristics.

Results: Of the 384 trainees, 320 (83.33%) correctly identified clinical guidelines for diabetes management and 290 (75.75%) for hypertension management. The majority (350 (91.67%)) supported patient-centered care, with 320 (83.33%) believing that patients should be actively involved in treatment decisions. In terms of practices, 300 (78.13%) regularly monitored blood glucose levels, and 320 (83.33%) routinely checked blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Adherence to national treatment guidelines was reported by 280 (72.92%) for diabetes and 270 (70.31%) for hypertension. Younger trainees and those with 6-12 months of clinical experience exhibited higher KAP scores. Significant associations were found between age, clinical experience, and training program and KAP levels.

Conclusion: Although postgraduate trainees show strong knowledge of and favorable attitudes toward managing diabetes and hypertension, there is room for improvement in their practical application, particularly with regard to medication adherence and following guidelines, in order to provide high-quality patient care.