Development and Evaluation of Diabetes Continuing Education Courses for Health Professionals: A Synthesis of Eight Years of Experience

Abstract

Fifteen continuing education courses in diabetes care attended by 943 health professionals were evaluated and synthesized using meta-analytic techniques. Objective and subjective evaluation results were used to monitor and improve the quality of the programs. Participants' knowledge of diabetes care issues improved an average of 36 percentile points (P<.001), providing objective evidence of the positive impact of the courses. Favorable ratings by participants of the usefulness of the course content in meeting their own learning needs provided subjective evidence of the value of the courses. A follow-up survey of participants six months later indicated that more than 80 % were successful in changing the educational and psychosocial aspects of their health care practices as a result of course attendance. Many reported increased understanding of the psychosocial aspects of diabetes and compliance problems, greater confidence in their dietary recommendations and patient education skills, and increased personal satisfaction from their diabetes patient care.In its 1975 report to Congress, the National Commission on Diabetes concluded that despite effective therapeutic regimens, most persons with diabetes in this country were not receiving optimal care, in part because the findings of research were not being translated rapidly or effectively into care practice. Health care professionals responsible for the care and education of patients with diabetes have been found to be inadequately informed about diabetes. '+ Hospitalized patients have also demonstrated a lack of confidence in staff knowledge about diabetes care practices.' Health professionals indicated in several studies that they perceived their educational skills to be less than adequate and expressed a need for more training in methods of teaching patient.&dquo;'In response to these deficiencies, the Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC) in 1979 initiated a series of postgraduate education courses on diabetes targeted at community-based health professionals. The objectives of these courses were to train nurses, dietitians, physicians, and other health professionals in the treatment and management of diabetes, to review teaching and learning strategies to assist in the education of patients, and to transfer new research findings into improved health care delivery. It was reasoned that the effect of training each of these health professionals would be multiplied by the numbers of other health professionals and patients they would in turn instruct. Over the years the content and format of these courses have evolved in response to the needs and suggestions of the participants, Downloaded from 137 to new knowledge, and to new or improved techniques of care. Thus far, 15 diabetes continuing education programs have been conducted and evaluated over the last eight years. Although session topics have varied and conference length has ranged between one and three days, program evaluation methods have been consistent enough to use a meta-analytic approach i...