Nurses’ self-efficacy and knowledge: A pre- and post- study on reeducation for patient self-management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic health condition with the potential for poor health outcomes that can be limited by good patient education and self-management approaches. Nurse-led diabetes self-management education (DSME) can reduce hospitalizations, support optimal blood glucose levels, and lower hemoglobin A1C. The goal of this study was to establish and maintain expertise for long term care (LTC) facility nurses in DSME. The project's purpose was to determine whether DSME increases LTC nurse knowledge about T2DM management, and whether it increases self-efficacy of LTC nurses to deliver DSME discharge training.

Methods: This project utilized a quasi-experimental prospective comparative pre and posttest design to examine the effect of DSME training for licensed practical and registered nurses practicing in Chicagoland LTC facilities. Knowledge was measured utilizing a pre-and-posttest survey before and after the educational intervention and analyzed with the Wilcoxen signed-rank test. The online survey included a questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge about T2DM and DSME and self-efficacy for delivering DSME. Descriptive statistics analyzed demographic data and questionnaire responses. Data analysis was performed IBM's Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Results: Ten participants completed the survey. Post-test scores increased following the education session with a p-value (.03689) for the variable “knowledge in treating low blood sugar,” suggesting the DSME educational training increased LTC nurse knowledge. The average-pre-post-confidence level scores were significant (p = .01198), indicating that education on T2DM and DSME increases nurse knowledge about T2DM management and increases their self-efficacy for delivering T2DM education.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated a link between T2DM management knowledge and DSME education programs for LTC nurses. The study's findings emphasize the need for ongoing education to increase nurse knowledge, self-efficacy and confidence for providing T2DMcare to improve patient outcomes.