Effectiveness of the Strengthening Diabetes Care Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Thai Nurse Practitioners

Abstract

                   This randomized control trial examined the effects of a strengthening diabetes care program among Thai nurse practitioners working in a diabetic clinic at primary care units in a province in northern Thailand. The program was developed in three stages: 1) Self-administered questionnaires for analysis of the nurse practitioners’ competency in diabetes care management 2) Development of program contents to strengthen their competencies with five modules for classroom training and three modules for e-learning program, and 3) A 4-week intervention, which comprised four consecutive days for classroom training and three weeks for an e-learning program. The program was evaluated three times: pre-intervention and weeks 4 and 8 post-intervention. Sixty NPs were randomly assigned into experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Data were collected with five self-administered questionnaires on demographic data form, perceived self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge, and care skills in diabetes care, and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Repeated Measures ANOVA and Independent t-test.

                   The findings revealed significant increases in mean scores of the experimental group on perceived self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge and skills in diabetes care higher than the control group at weeks 4 and 8 post-intervention. Based on the findings, the diabetes program can be used to strengthen nurse practitioners’competencies to build their confidence in diabetes care at primary care units with short course training and a subsequent e-learning program suitable for self-directed learning. Supervision should be monitored to help nurse practitioners in effective job performance.