A Continuing Medical Education Needs Assessment of Primary Care Physicians' Knowledge Awareness of Prediabetes Care

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To conduct a continuing medical education (CME) needs assessment of Atlantic Canadian family physicians' knowledge and awareness of prediabetes. METHOD A questionnaire-survey was constructed and distributed to family physicians across Atlantic Canada. RESULTS Between January and February 2008, a total of 2320 surveys were distributed to family physicians in Atlantic Canada; 744 were returned, for a response rate of 32.1%. Respondents reported a positive opinion/attitude about prediabetes management in their practices and a high level of interest in CME on the following topics: screening for and diagnosing prediabetes; managing prediabetes in children; and pharmacological and lifestyle approaches to prediabetes management. Gender, years of experience as a primary care provider and location of family medicine/ primary care training influenced CME topic ratings on prediabetes and overall attitudes/opinions about prediabetes. CONCLUSIONS Respondents reported a positive opinion/attitude about prediabetes management in their practices and a high level of interest in CME about prediabetes. The findings have implications for postgraduate family medicine training, CME for Canadian and internationally trained family medicine practitioners, and for our understanding of family physicians' attitudes/opinions that might influence practice approaches.