Understanding primary care provider’s knowledge and perceptions of diabetes self-management education and support

Objective

The American Diabetes Association Standards of Care recommends that individuals with diabetes receive self-management education, but the utilization of these services remains low. This study explores primary care providers’ knowledge and perceptions of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES).

Study design

A convergent mixed methods study design grounded in the Theoretical Domains Framework was conducted with an initial provider survey, followed by semi-structured interview of a purposeful sub-sample of providers. The survey was distributed via REDCap and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Results

A total of 140 PCP’s responded to the survey (response rate 37.63 %) and 17 participated in interviews. The average knowledge score of the correct selection of DSMES referral time points was 70.35 %. Five themes emerged in provider interviews: procedural knowledge, ability, beliefs, reinforcement, and cultural norms. Providers wanted bidirectional communication with the DSMES program and were more likely to refer if they had a cultural norm of referring.

Conclusion

Providers have limited knowledge of the appropriate time to refer to DSMES but expressed a willingness to refer. They emphasized the importance of providing their patients with appropriate self-management education and support.