Knowledge of carbohydrate counting and insulin dose calculations among hospital staff in a regional general paediatrics unit

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the carbohydrate and insulin knowledge of the staff at Children’s Ark at the University Hospital, Limerick. Carbohydrate counting and insulin dose calculations based on carbohydrates and blood sugars are integral to intensive insulin management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The PedCarbQuiz, a validated questionnaire, was modified, and applied to the staff on our general paediatrics ward. 48/70 eligible staff responded (rate 68 %). Overall knowledge was good: 75.5 % was the average score for correctly identifying foods containing carbohydrate. However, poor scores were obtained for calculating multiple items and meal values (average score 29 %), and exact values of insulin required (average score 38 %). These results highlight the need for re-education among staff on a general paediatrics ward, to empower ward staff to contribute effectively to the education and management of patients with T1DM.

Evaluation of carbohydrate counting knowledge among individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

“…Notably, with the use of the CC method, the knowledge scores increased by 4.641 units on average, as compared with not using CC. Therefore, patients with T1DM who intend to perform CC should have more frequent access to qualified dietitians for information on CC and clarification on important issues 20 28. In addition, the CC knowledge scores decreased by −1.039 units on average for every one-unit increase in HbA1c levels.…”

Assessment of Carbohydrate Count Method Knowledge Levels and Insulin Types of Individuals with Type 1 DM

“…In addition, the majority of the participants stated that they had no difficulty in adjusting insulin dosage by CHO counting method. Similarly, in the study of O'Gorman et al (23), the majority of the participants stated that they had no difficulty in adjusting insulin dosage by CHO counting method. This can be explained by the fact that it is easier to adjust glycemic control by the CHO counting method, with no difficulty adjusting the insulin dose.…”

“…It was observed that most of the participants had access to information about CHO counting method from dietitians and least information from books and newspapers. similar to the some other researchers (18,(22)(23). In this situation, individuals with T1DM who perform CHO counting may want to have access to information from dietitian in order to have detailed information about the CHO counting and to answer their questions about it.…”

Variation of carbohydrate intake in diabetic children on carbohydrate counting

“…However, other studies have shown that adolescents had poor overall knowledge of carbohydrate counting (12,27). In 2015, O'Gorman (28) showed that medical and paramedical staff had a good knowledge (75.5%) in terms of identification of carbohydrates in a meal, but that when they had to calculate the number of carbohydrates in a meal, only 29% succeeded. However, our primary objective was the variation of CI per day and per meal.…”