George, J. T., Warriner, D. A., Anthony, J., Rozario, K. S., Xavier, S., Jude, E. B. and McKay, G. A. (2008) Training tomorrow's doctors in diabetes: self-reported confidence levels, practice and perceived training needs of post-graduate trainee doctors in the UK: a multi-centre survey. BMC Medical Education, 8, 22. (doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-8-22) (PMID:18419804) (PMCID:PMC2358901)
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Abstract
Objective To assess the confidence, practices and perceived training needs in diabetes care of post-graduate trainee doctors in the UK.<p></p> Methods An anonymised postal questionnaire using a validated 'Confidence Rating' (CR) scale was applied to aspects of diabetes care and administered to junior doctors from three UK hospitals. The frequency of aspects of day-to-day practice was assessed using a five-point scale with narrative description in combination with numeric values. Respondents had a choice of 'always' (100%), 'almost always' (80–99%), 'often' (50–79%), 'not very often' (20–49%) and 'rarely' (less than 20%). Yes/No questions were used to assess perception of further training requirements. Additional 'free-text' comments were also sought.<p></p> Results 82 doctors completed the survey. The mean number of years since medical qualification was 3 years and 4 months, (range: 4 months to 14 years and 1 month). Only 11 of the respondents had undergone specific diabetes training since qualification.<p></p> 4(5%) reported 'not confident' (CR1), 30 (37%) 'satisfactory but lacked confidence' (CR2), 25 (30%) felt 'confident in some cases' (CR3) and 23 (28%) doctors felt fully confident (CR4) in diagnosing diabetes. 12 (15%) doctors would always, 24 (29%) almost always, 20 (24%) often, 22 (27%) not very often and 4 (5%) rarely take the initiative to optimise gcaemic control. 5 (6%) reported training in diagnosis of diabetes was adequate while 59 (72%) would welcome more training. Reported confidence was better in managing diabetes emergencies, with 4 (5%) not confident in managing hypoglycaemia, 10 (12%) lacking confidence, 22 (27%) confident in some cases and 45 (55%) fully confident in almost all cases. Managing diabetic ketoacidosis, 5 (6%) doctors did not feel confident, 16 (20%) lacked confidence, 20 (24%) confident in some cases, and 40 (50%) felt fully confident in almost all cases.<p></p> Conclusion There is a lack of confidence in managing aspects of diabetes care, including the management of diabetes emergencies, amongst postgraduate trainee doctors with a perceived need for more training. This may have considerable significance and further research is required to identify the causes of deficiencies identified in this study.<p></p>
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | McKay, Dr Gerard |
Authors: | George, J. T., Warriner, D. A., Anthony, J., Rozario, K. S., Xavier, S., Jude, E. B., and McKay, G. A. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing |
Journal Name: | BMC Medical Education |
Publisher: | BioMed Central |
ISSN: | 1472-6920 |
ISSN (Online): | 1472-6920 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2008 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in BMC Medical Education 8:22 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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