IMPACT OF RESIDENT PARTICIPATION IN A MULTIDISCIPLINARY DIABETES TEAM

OBJECTIVE - To determine the impact of participation in a multidiscipl inary diabetes team on pediatric residents' perceptions of team member s' roles. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Pediatric residents were assig ned to a traditional diabetes clinical rotation (n = 34) or to an ambu latory multidisciplinary diabetes team within their continuity clinic (n = 21). The residents and a small sample of practicing pediatricians (n = 46) completed a Likert-type instrument at the completion of the 18-mo study. RESULTS - Multidisciplinary diabetes team residents were significantly more positive about the roles for endocrinological evalu ation in monitoring compliance, for the nurse educator/certified diabe tes educator in assisting with sick- day management and school behavio ral problems, and for the dietitian in helping with cholesterol proble ms. They were significantly more like practicing pediatricians in thei r perceptions of pediatric roles in teaching sick-day management, impl ementing weight reduction, assisting with conflict resolution about di abetes, screening for microvascular complications, and developing beha vioral strategies for metabolic control than residents in the traditio nal rotation. The groups did not differ in their beliefs about patient empowerment. CONCLUSIONS - Multidisciplinary diabetes team participat ion may be useful in modifying specific role perceptions of pediatric residents about diabetes care. it does not appear to alter perceptions favoring greater patient empowerment.