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Role-Playing-Based Physician Training and Metabolic Outcomes Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cluster
Yifei Zhang1,2, Ying Peng1,2, Yufei Chen1,2
1Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
JAMA Network Open
|August 6, 2026
Summary
A role-playing training program for physicians significantly improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. This intensive training approach helps bridge the gap between diabetes care guidelines and actual clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
- Medical Education
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Global glycemic control in diabetes remains suboptimal, highlighting a gap between recommended guidelines and clinical practice.
- Effective strategies are needed to improve physician performance in managing type 2 diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a role-playing-based intensive training program for physicians.
- To assess the program's impact on improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, cluster randomized clinical trial involving 205 physicians and 2017 patients with type 2 diabetes in China.
- Physicians were assigned to either intensive role-playing-based training or regular training.
- The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level less than 7.0% at 6 months.
Main Results:
- The intensive training group showed a significantly greater proportion of patients achieving HbA1c < 7.0% at 6 months (58.0%) compared to the regular training group (42.9%).
- This significant improvement in glycemic control was sustained at 12 months.
- The intensive group also demonstrated significant reductions in body mass index, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and systolic blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Role-playing-based intensive training for physicians is an effective strategy for improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- This training approach offers a feasible method to narrow the guideline-implementation gap in diabetes care.
- The findings support the integration of such training programs into routine medical education for diabetes management.
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