Assessing student pharmacists' confidence and knowledge of basic diabetes self-management skills

Abstract

Introduction: The significance of diabetes self-management and recent advances in diabetes medications call for healthcare professionals' preparedness in educating patients. This study assessed correlations between student pharmacists' confidence and knowledge of diabetes self-management skills. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to third-year student pharmacists at one United States college of pharmacy. Students indicated their level of agreement (strongly disagree, disagree, agree, strongly agree) with nine confidence items and identified the correct multiple-choice response for nine knowledge items. Correlations between confidence and knowledge scores were assessed using simple linear regression, logistic regression, and Spearman rank (Rho) test. Results: Forty-five students completed the questionnaire. The majority agreed/strongly agreed that they were confident in their knowledge for eight of the nine confidence items. The majority correctly answered six of the nine knowledge items. No associations were identified between confidence and knowledge scores in the linear regression (beta scaled = 0.25) or Spearman's correlation test (r = 0.294). In the logistic regression model, confidence and knowledge scores were associated positively for three domains: glucose meter use (odds ratio [OR] = 4.88), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use (OR = 4.23) and hyperglycemia treatment (OR = 3.33); confidence and knowledge scores were associated negatively with one domain: insulin syringe administration (OR = 0.41). Conclusions: This study found no overall association between confidence and knowledge scores in third-year student pharmacists' basic diabetes self-management skills, although there were significant associations with four specific domains. Student pharmacists may require additional training to improve their diabetes self-management skills.