Abstract
BackgroundThe United States has 84 million adults with prediabetes, putting them at a higher risk than the general population for developing type 2 diabetes. Missed opportunities among primary care providers in diagnosing and managing patients with prediabetes represent a gap in care, suggesting there is a need to educate practicing physicians and medical students about diabetes prevention. The purpose of this study is to assess medical students’ basic knowledge of prediabetes and diabetes prevention, identify potential educational needs, and target areas for improvement in undergraduate medical education curricula.MethodsA cross-sectional study to assess medical students’ preclinical and clinical management knowledge of prediabetes and diabetes prevention. Medical students attending the 2016 American Medical Association’s annual meeting took a 6-item knowledge questionnaire using a mobile application or a paper version. Scores were reported for the full sample of respondents, by year in medical school, by topic area, and by mode of survey response.ResultsThe average student answered fewer than half of the questionnaire questions correctly. Scores on some items addressing preclinical content were higher among third- and fourth-year students compared to first- and second-year students (p = 0.039 and effect size = 0.363). Average scores on the items addressing clinical management were not significantly different by year in medical school, but the item measuring effectiveness of metformin to a lifestyle change program had 41.9% correct answers among the mobile application respondents compared to 21.5% among paper test respondents (p = 0.003 and effect size = 0.463).ConclusionsMedical student performance on the prediabetes knowledge questionnaire was low. Students’ year in medical school had a slight impact on overall performance, but only for certain questions. The results suggest the need for improvements in current medical school curricula for increasing the awareness of screening for prediabetes as well as the benefits of the lifestyle change programs in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
Highlights
The United States has 84 million adults with prediabetes, putting them at a higher risk than the general population for developing type 2 diabetes
Nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States (US) has prediabetes, a condition characterized by blood glucose levels that are elevated- hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test results between 5.7 and 6.4%- but not high enough to be classified as diabetes [1]
People with prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by participating in structured lifestyle change programs (LCPs)
Summary
The United States has 84 million adults with prediabetes, putting them at a higher risk than the general population for developing type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study is to assess medical students’ basic knowledge of prediabetes and diabetes prevention, identify potential educational needs, and target areas for improvement in undergraduate medical education curricula. 1 in 3 adults in the United States (US) has prediabetes, a condition characterized by blood glucose levels that are elevated- hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) test results between 5.7 and 6.4%- but not high enough to be classified as diabetes [1]. Individuals with prediabetes are at higher risk than the general population for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions [1]. People with prediabetes can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by participating in structured lifestyle change programs (LCPs).
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