[Achieving an educative strategy in undergraduate medical interns with respect to patients with diabetes]

To estimate the achievement of an educative strategy that promoted participation of the development of the clinical aptitude of undergraduate medical students with regard to patients with diabetes.

We conducted a quasi-experimental study with two groups of undergraduate medical students. We validated an instrument to explore clinical attitude concerning diabetes mellitus (ACDIME) with 30 items for each of six indicators. The instrument was applied at two general hospitals, before and after carrying out the educative strategies. In the experimental group, we conducted an educative strategy that promotes participation in developing clinical aptitude, while the customary strategy was developed in the control group.

ACDIME consistency was 0.80. Both study groups were similar before the educative strategies (p = 0.165). Statistically significant differences existed after the strategies in all indicators were evaluated, in favor of the experimental group. The tendency to change, with a criterion of 50% or more, was only statistically significant in the experimental group (p < 0.0001).

The ACDIME instrument is valid and reliable. The educative strategy that promoted participation is clearly superior to the customary strategy with regard to achievement.