KNOWLEDGE ON DIABETES AND PERFORMANCE AMONG HEALTH-PROFESSIONALS IN NON-DIABETOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS

We tested the level of knowledge on diabetes and professional skills i n a group of 60 non-diabetological health care professionals at the Po liclinic of Pisa regarding the recognition and treatment of hypoglycae mia, the storage, mixing and administration of insulin, blood glucose stick monitoring, and the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot. T he evaluation was carried out using a multiple-choice questionnaire an d observation of the subjects, performance by means of pre-defined obs ervation schedules, during the preparation and administration of a ble nd of rapid-intermediate insulin, the use of blood glucose sticks and the management of a simulated hypoglycaemic crisis. As regards hypogly caemia, 90% of subjects did not give a correct definition, 88.3% were unaware of the existence of asymptomatic hypoglycaemia, and 96.6% did not give a complete answer as to the treatment of hypoglycaemia. For i nsulin, 51.7% did not know the standards for correct storage of insuli n, 88.3% did not know the difference between ''clear'' and ''opaque'' insulins, and 91.7% ignored the required interval between administrati on of regular insulin and meals. For foot care, 45% admitted that the problems with diabetics' feet were frequently not controlled, and betw een 21.7% and 63.3% did not known the hygiene rules for feet. Assessme nt of the performance of the subjects using schedules revealed incorre ct use of sticks and administration of insulin (80.2% mixed and 92.4% injected the insulin incorrectly). There is clearly a need for educati on of non-diabetological health professionals regarding the disease. T his is supported by the health professionals themselves, 94.5% of whom wished to participate in a course on diabetes.