Scenario-based training to improve nursing staff knowledge and competence in diabetes care

Abstract

Background: Currently patient with diabetes comprise up to 30% of the census of adult medical admissions in our hospital. As there is a turnover of ward nurses each year, a structured and tailor-made training program is essential to ensure a good level of knowledge and competence in diabetes care so that patient safety and quality care could be enhanced.

Method: The training module consisted of two parts, namely scenario-based case conference and post conference newsletter sharing. At the case conference, ward nurse would take turn to present a case of diabetes and raise questions regarding the management. A pre-conference quiz related to the scenario was also given to all participants for knowledge assessment. Interactive case discussion was guided by a Diabetes Nurse Consultant. After the conference, all valid learning and discussion points would be summarized in a newsletter and posted to all related units.

Results: Three interactive case conferences were organized and attended by a total of 49 nurses in 2015. The case-mix selected for presentation was comprehensive, including insulin treated diabetes with advance complications, uncontrolled diabetes, gestational diabetes complicated with bipolar affective disorder, etc. Regarding the knowledge assessment, more than 90% of the participants could recognize the actions and side effects of traditional anti-diabetic drugs, whereas less than 50% of them seemed not familiar with the nature of those novel medications. All the frontline nursing colleagues could point out the proper management for patient develop hypo-glycemia but only a few were competent to address the highlights when caring for gestational diabetes. Through the interactive discussion, ward nurses could learn from real cases that they came across and found interesting. All participants welcomed the initiation of this program.

Conclusion: The Scenario-based training is a tailored-made program for the ward nurses to enhance their knowledge and competence in caring in-hospitalized patients with diabetes. From the learning experience gained in this program, the nurses could address patients’ need timely and grasp the valuable teaching opportunity during their hospitalization, thus facilitating early discharge and shorten their length of stay. Continuous enhancement of the program would help to fine-tune and optimize the training contents and learning activities in future.