Evaluation of a new training program to reassure primary school teachers about glucagon injection in children with type 1 diabetes during the 2017–2018 school year

Abstract

IntroductionThe prevalence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children is increasing. Adequate knowledge and skills of primary school staff are required to deal with children affected by T1D. We aimed to evaluate a video training program (VTP) to improve the level of confidence of teachers in administering intramuscular glucagon injection during severe hypoglycemia. The secondary goal was to improve the teachers’ theoretical knowledge. Material and methodsIn this interventional study, we submitted a VTP to all primary school teachers in the French region of Normandy who received a child with T1D during the 2017–2018 school year. The VTP began with a questionnaire focused on their confidence in performing T1D-related actions and on their theoretical knowledge. Next, we offered a 10-min video covering the main issues of T1D, which could be watched freely for a fortnight. The questionnaire was subsequently resubmitted. The level of confidence was assessed on a scale of 1 to 4. Knowledge was assessed as a score out of 20. Before–after comparisons were made using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Determinants of a good level of confidence and knowledge before VTP were assessed in the first questionnaires using multivariate analysis. ResultsOf 221 eligible teachers, 157 (71%) answered the first questionnaire and 77 (34.8%) answered both. The VTP significantly improved the teachers’ confidence to administer a glucagon injection (+0.36 points, P<0.001). Their theoretical knowledge was also significantly improved (+1.5 points, P<0.001). ConclusionsWe propose an original practical VTP that could be useful to improve teachers’ T1D-related self-confidence in their skills and knowledge.