Knowledge of diabetes as one of the factors required to provide quality inpatient nursing care: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Nurses bear responsibility for the daily care of persons with diabetes within the hospital environment. Insufficient knowledge of diabetes may have impact on safe care for hospitalized patients with diabetes. Objectives: To evaluate both actual and perceived knowledge of diabetes among nurses at inpatient departments. Design: A cross-sectional study that was carried out in November and December 2019. Settings and participants: Registered nurses working in inpatient medical facilities in the Czech Republic. Methods: A knowledge of diabetes questionnaire incorporating a standardized diabetes knowledge test (revDKT); 10 semi-open items focused on nursing care in diabetology, and 25 scale items focused on self-assessment in nursing care for people with diabetes was designed. Descriptive and regression analysis in an exploratory regime was used to analyse the data. Results: 593 registered nurses voluntarily participated in the study (average age of 39 ± 10). Their knowledge corresponds to an average 57 % success rate in the test. The overall level of knowledge is positively correlated with the overall level of self-assessment, specialization of nurses, length of their practice, and the level of education attained. Conclusions: Nurses working in hospitals have a lot of gaps in their knowledge of diabetes and its care. This study demonstrates the need for targeted educational activities in diabetes management for nurses working in inpatient facilities to secure safe care for patients with diabetes.