A Needs Assessment: Retail Clinic Provider Diabetes Knowledge and Attitudes

Abstract

Background: Two current growing health care trends in the United States are the escalating rates of obesity and the use of retail health care clinics. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to long lasting health complications including renal and cardiac disease. Little is known about the recent trend of retail clinics expanding their scope and providing care for chronic diseases. The purpose of this project is to assess a baseline knowledge and personal attitudes of diabetes management of retail health providers at a specific chain of retail health clinics in Arizona. Purpose: This needs assessment will explore the intersection of these trends, as retail health care clinics expand beyond delivering urgent care, to providing comprehensive diabetes care. The purpose of this project is to assess provider knowledge of diabetes and personal attitudes towards diabetes in a retail health setting. Methods: Participants will complete an on-line diabetes knowledge questionnaire based upon the current standards of care for patients with diabetes from the American Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Attitude Survey (DAS-3). Results: Twenty-eight health care providers participated and results showed that 62% of the diabetes knowledge questions were answered correctly. The data also indicated that providers attitudes towards diabetes was generally supportive and positive for the patient. Participants generally agreed about the importance of special training for health care professionals who care for diabetic patients, understanding the seriousness of diabetes mellitus, recognizing the importance of glucose control. Participants valued patient autonomy and acknowledge the psychosocial role of diabetes mellitus in patients. Conclusion: This needs assessment indicated that 62% of the diabetes knowledge questions were answered correctly. The results of this study indicated that diabetes management education for retail health providers could be one approach to increase their knowledge. The results from the attitudes survey indicated that most providers agreed on the importance of managing diabetes and including the patient in their healthcare decisions. This assessment identified the need for further education for health care providers. Future studies may include assessment of an educational program for providers or assessing the quality of the diabetes management delivered in a retail health setting.