Are we confident that final-year medical students know at least basics about diabetes?: A preliminary report from the multicenter, survey-based Diabetes Know-Me study
Agata Chobot1, Zuzanna Gosławska2, Elisa Giani3,4
1Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, Poland.
Background:
We present the results of the pilot study of a multinational "Diabetes Know-Me" project investigating knowledge regarding diabetes of medical students. This is the first collaborative project of the ISPAD JENIOUS group.
Methods:
Students of the final year of medical studies from six countries answered a 25-question survey regarding basic knowledge concerning diabetes (1091 surveys handed out, response rate 86%).
Results:
Among the responders (58% female) 90% confirmed attending diabetology classes; 11% planned to specialize in diabetology. There were significant differences between countries in the median score of correct answers ranging from 10/25 to 22/25. Attending diabetes classes (20 vs. 13/25, p < 0.0001) was the strongest factor associated with improved knowledge about diabetes (other factors analyzed were: gender, familiar/personal experience of diabetes, interest to specialize in diabetology).
Conclusions:
Basic knowledge about diabetes remains a challenge. Participating in classes concerning diabetes contributed the most to the diabetes-related knowledge among students of the final year of medical faculties.
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