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.