An interactive 1-h educational programme for junior doctors, increases their confidence and improves inpatient diabetes care

Aim: To evaluated whether a 1 hour, interactive, case-based programme could improve the quality of care and juniors' confidence.

Methods: We designed an educational programme using a patient's journey from admission to discharge in order to teach avoidance of common errors, while enhancing familiarity with local charts and protocols. The intervention was delivered in four hospitals, to doctors within 4 years of training following graduation. Feedback was received. The quality of care provided and the confidence of juniors' in its provision was evaluated before and after the intervention.

Results: Of the 242 trainees taught, 205 (85%) provided feedback. The programme was rated 'very' or 'extremely' easy to understand by 94.1%. The format was thought to improve attention and participation, 'quite a lot' or 'extremely' by 94.1% and was 'highly' or 'extremely highly' recommended for other areas of teaching by 93.1%. The mean confidence score increased from 17.6 (SD 4) to 24.9 (SD 2.7) (P < 0.001), with Cronbach α coefficients of 0.81 and 0.86 for the questionnaires before and after the programme. Insulin prescription errors were reduced by 49% (15.4% before and 7.8% after, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The inpatient diabetes education programme, which is deliverable within 1 h, was liked by juniors, increased their confidence and improved the quality of inpatient diabetes care.