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Introduction: Self-assessed confidence is not a reliable indicator of knowledge levels, as multiple studies have shown; however, it is often used as a measure of knowledge. The purpose of this study is to identify whether the confidence of graduating students in a US medical school to diagnose and treat diabetes is correlated with their diabetes-related knowledge. Methods: We developed a 38-question survey, targeting students' external experiences, knowledge, and confidence related to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diabetes. The survey includes six self-reported confidence questions and 15 multiple choice-style questions, to test diabetes knowledge. The survey was administered electronically using REDCap to the graduating medical school class (n=176) at Upstate Medical University. We calculated mean knowledge scores and confidence scores were calculated. We used Pearson correlation and t tests to assess for correlations and differences in the collected data. We also reviewed diabetes content in the current curriculum. Results: The response rate was 38%. The mean confidence score was 19.97 out of 30 (SD=3.92) and the mean knowledge score was 9.63 out of 15 (SD=2.09). Total knowledge and confidence scores were not correlated. A positive correlation between confidence in prescribing/adjusting medications to treat patients with type 1 diabetes and knowledge levels was found (R=.325, P=.007). Academic electives, external experiences with diabetes, and demographics did not correlate with knowledge and confidence differences. Conclusions: Students overestimated their ability to adequately manage people with diabetes. Better approaches are needed to prepare future physicians to diagnose and treat diabetes.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine pharmacy costs for glycemic treatment and its relationship to glycemic control in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) between 1994 and 2000. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with diabetes in the VA in FY1994, FY1996, FY1998, and FY2000 were identified using an ambulatory care pharmacy-derived database. Total drug acquisition costs, as well as expenditures for insulin, oral glycemic control agents, and self-blood glucose monitoring strips, were determined for these veterans. HbA(1c) levels for the corresponding time periods were also obtained. Pharmacy costs (medications and monitoring) were examined by glycemic control treatment type. RESULTS: In FY2000, 18% (n = 535,016) of all VA pharmacy patients were identified as having diabetes, and they received 30% of all pharmacy prescriptions. Overall, 23% of pharmacy expenditures for these patients were related to glycemic control medications and monitoring supplies. Annual pharmacy costs increased from FY1994 to FY2000. The greatest change was the higher expenditure for monitoring supplies through FY1998, which then decreased in FY2000. Increased pharmacy costs were associated with improved glycemic control. In FY2000, the mean last HbA(1c) level (n = 446,384) fell to 7.6% from 7.8% in FY1998 (n = 204,136) and 8.4% in 1996 (n = 53,348). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes was associated with high pharmacy costs. Increasing medication expenditures were associated with improved HbA(1c) levels at the aggregated national level. Policies concerning dispensing monitoring supplies and several diabetes quality improvement projects were initiated during this interval. Future challenges include initiatives to further optimize care while controlling costs.
