Diabetes Metab J.  2012 Apr;36(2):120-127. 10.4093/dmj.2012.36.2.120.

Perception of Clinicians and Diabetic Patients on the Importance of Postprandial Glucose Control and Diabetes Education Status: A Cross Sectional Survey

• Choi JH
• Park CY
• Cha BS
• Kim IJ
• Park TS
• Park JY
• Park KS
• Yoon KH
• Lee IK
• Park SW

• KMID: 2281414
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2012.36.2.120

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recent studies have shown the importance of postprandial glucose (PPG) in the development of diabetes complications. This study was conducted in order to survey the perceptions of clinicians and diabetic patients with respect to PPG management and the current status of diabetes education.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study involving face-to-face interviews and an open questionnaire survey conducted in Korea. A total of 300 patients and 130 clinicians completed questionnaires, which included current education status, self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), criteria of diagnosis and management, and perceptions relating to PPG management.
RESULTS
While there was a significantly higher perceived need for diabetes education, the sufficiency of the current education was considered to be severely lacking. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), PPG, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were all important considerations for clinicians when making a diagnosis of diabetes, although PPG was considered less important than FPG or HbA1c in the treatment of diabetes. Most clinicians and patients were aware of the importance of PPG, but actual education on the importance of PPG was not actively being delivered.
CONCLUSION
Our study showed that the current status of diabetes education is insufficient to meet the needs of the Korean population. A considerable gap was found to exist between awareness and what was actually taught in the current education program in regard to the importance of PPG. These results suggest that clinicians need to be more active in patient education, especially in regard to the importance of PPG.

Keyword

Diabetes education; Diabetes mellitus, type 2; Perception; Postprandial glucose

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Fasting
Glucose
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Humans
Korea
Patient Education as Topic
Plasma
Surveys and Questionnaires
Blood Glucose
Glucose
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Usage pattern of check-up test. (A) Test used for diagnosis according to clinicians and patients. (B) Test used for treatment according to clinicians in order of priority. FPG, fasting plasma glucose; PPG, postprandial glucose; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin.

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