Improving patient-education assessment skills of hospital staff: a case study in diabetes

While the importance of collecting patient education data of high quality is well established, few studies have examined the quality of patient educational assessment procedures. Utilizing a standardized instrument and assessment protocol, an observational trial of nine insulin-controlled adult diabetics was conducted using pairs of trained patient assessors. Although the overall mean percent agreement for the first trial was very good (90%), lack of agreement was noted for several important subcategories. A training program was conducted to improve accuracy, addressing the assessment problems found in the first trial. A second rater trial found an overall level of rater agreement of 99%. This study confirmed that routine assessment of patients should be periodically monitored using the quality control methods described to ensure program data of high quality.