The Diabetes Educator Role in Canada: A National Survey

Abstract

Diabetes Educators (DE) play an essential role in providing diabetes self-management education and support to individuals. The aim of the study is to describe the DE role in Canada. This study was a cross-sectional survey, and comprised the development of the Diabetes Educator Questionnaire (DEQ). Using Canadian and International diabetes education standards, the DEQ assessed structures, process and outcome components of the DE role. Educators were contacted through the Diabetes Educator Section Chapters of the Canadian Diabetes Association. A total of 290 DE responded, comprising mostly females (95%), registered dietitians (RD) (46%), registered nurses (RN) (42%), and included pharmacists (PH) (9%) and other (3%). The total mean age was 45.4 years (SD +11.2), and the average amount of diabetes experience was 12.6 years (SD + 9.9). For structure outcomes, RN and PH reported their role comprised mostly patient education and diabetes management, whereas RD reported patient education and administration. For process outcomes, RN were more likely to assess activity, monitoring and medications; RD were most likely to assess healthy eating; and PH were most likely to assess medications. Finally, RN and PH rated clinical outcomes as more relevant to their role, whereas RD rated knowledge outcomes. The study findings are self-reported and the sample size was dependent on the response rate. Due to the anonymity of the DEQ, test-retest reliability could not be established. This study provides a description of diabetes educators in Canada, by describing role related structures, processes, and outcome components.