Aim: The second Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) study aimed to describe the psychosocial challenges faced by People With Diabetes (PWD), their families, and the Healthcare Professionals (HCPs); and to explore new avenues for improving care, support and self management. This paper presents results from Canadian HCPs (family practice/ general practice physicians), specialists – endocrinologist/diabetologists, nurses and dietitians) —their attitudes and beliefs about diabetes care, and perceptions of: skills in supporting self-management; PWD’ access to services; and needs and areas for improvement in diabetes self-management.
Methods: HCPs working in diabetes were recruited from across Canada to complete online surveys that included validated/adapted questionnaires assessing health-related Quality of Life (QoL), self-management, attitudes and beliefs, social support, and priorities for improving diabetes care.
Results: Two hundred and eighty-one Canadian HCPs participated in the study – 120 Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) and General Practitioners (GPs), 80 specialists, 41 nurses and 40 dietitians. A majority of HCPs (65%) saw a need for PWD to take a more active role in their own care. Approximately one-half of HCPs said they discussed emotional issues and assessed the PWD for depression. Most HCPs but particularly nurses and dietitians (76% PCPs/GPs, 77% specialists, and 98% nurses/dietitians) reported that they encouraged the PWD to ask questions “most of the time or always”. Regarding self-management, approximately half (44-52%) of HCPs indicated that the PWD they treated needed to improve “taking their diabetes medications as recommended” and “testing their blood sugars.” HCPs also indicated they wanted further training on providing self-management support and psychological resources.
Conclusions: The findings from this study indicate that there is a continued need for self-management education in Canada. HCPs want additional training and resources for supporting their PWD in acquiring improved self management skills and for recognizing and managing emotional issues associated with diabetes.