Authors (including presenting author) :
Choi WY, Chan MT, Ng PY, Wong CL, Fok CK, Kwan TF, Kwan WS, Chan YY, Tam HK
Affiliation :
Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, Caritas Medical Centre
Introduction :
Hong Kong is facing a significant threat of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), which currently affects about one in eight people. Moreover, uncontrolled DM is at risk of developing serious and life-threatening macro- and micro-vascular complications, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Different oral and injectable anti-diabetic therapies have emerged in the recent decade. Early and appropriate intervention can prevent or delay the deterioration of diabetic complications. The endocrine team of Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) organized a roadshow to promote knowledge on DM and the safety of anti-diabetic therapies to our hospital staff.
Objectives :
This roadshow aimed to arouse staff’s awareness of the risk of diabetes, introduce different kinds of diabetes treatment, and advocate the safe use of anti-diabetic drugs.
Methodology :
Five educational exhibition boards, including “Risks of diabetes”, “Principles of DM diet”, “Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems”, “Insulin therapy” and “GLP1-RA therapy” were displayed for two weeks. Two sessions of game booths were set up to enhance knowledge on DM, the safety of anti-diabetic agents, and healthy eating. Pre and post-roadshow knowledge questionnaires were given to medical staff for testing their knowledge on diabetes treatment.
Result & Outcome :
This roadshow had a high participation rate (162 medical staff and 227 nonmedical staff). Through board displays, games and slogans, all staff learned the risks of diabetes. Moreover, our medical colleagues have increased awareness on different diabetes treatments and their safety, as demonstrated by the pre and post-roadshow knowledge questionnaires. The overall pre-test score was 47% while the overall post-test score was 96%, which showed a significant improvement in knowledge after their participation in the roadshow. In the questionnaires, inadequate knowledge on the types of pre-mixed insulin analogues and the injection time in relation to meals was noted among our staff.
There was a relatively large knowledge gap in the types of premixed insulins and their injection time in relation to meals. This is important as the timing of meals should match the action of insulin to avoid postprandial hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. We also observed that the participants did not have adequate knowledge on the contents of the premixed insulin analogues. The roadshow successfully strengthened our staff's knowledge of different anti-diabetic therapies and drug safety.
