Diabetes knowledge of primary health care and specialist nurses in a major urban area

Aim and objectives To examine trends since a previous 2006-2008 survey in diabetes knowledge held by primary health care nurses and their use of national diabetes guidelines, perceived ability to advise diabetes patients and preferences for further diabetes education. Background The obesity epidemic has led to a rapid increase in the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and to greater expectations for an expanded role for primary health care nurses in the prevention and community management of diabetes. Design Cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview and adheres to the STROBE guidelines. Methods All nurses who provide community-based care in a major urban area were identified, and stratified by group, prior to random selection to participate in the study. A total of 1,416 practice, district (home care) and specialist nurses were identified who provide community-based care. Of the 459 who were randomly selected, 336 (73%) participated in 2016 and were compared with a representative sample of 287 nurses surveyed in 2006-2008. Results Compared with nurses in 2006-2008, significantly more nurses in 2016 used diabetes guidelines, knew that stroke was a diabetes-related complication, had a greater understanding of the pathology of diabetes and reported having sufficient knowledge to advise patients on laboratory results and improving outcomes through lifestyle changes. Despite these improvements, in 2016, only 24% of nurses could state that stroke was a complication of type 2 diabetes, only 37% felt sufficiently knowledgeable to advise patients on medications, and <20% could state that hypertension, smoking and the dyslipidaemia profile were important modifiable risk factors. Conclusion There have been improvements in nurse's knowledge but gaps remain for cardiovascular outcomes and associated modifiable risk factors and medication management. Relevance to clinical practice Education programmes should focus on improving cardiovascular risk management in patients with type 2 diabetes.