Publication:

Knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning diabetes self-management education among medical students: a cross-sectional study

Background Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is crucial for optimal diabetes care, yet medical students' preparedness to provide such education remains poorly understood. This study has been done to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning diabetes self-management education among senior medical students and identify factors associated with competency levels.

Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 200 medical students (4th and 5th year) aged 22-25 years from Tertiary Care Hospital and Medical College of Maharashtra. A validated questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding DSME across multiple domains. Scores were categorized as poor or good based on predetermined cutoffs. Associations between demographic factors and KAP scores were analyzed.

Results Mean knowledge score was 6.51±1.39, attitude score was 3.17±0.83, and practice score was 4.03±0.89. Knowledge was classified as good in 74% of students, attitudes as good in 91%, and practices as good in 72%. Males comprised 55.5% of participants. Fourth-year students (51.5%) showed slightly better knowledge scores compared to fifth-year students (48.5%). Age distribution showed 37.5% were 23 years old. Significant associations were found between academic year and attitude scores, with fourth-year students demonstrating better attitudes toward DSME (p<0.05).

Conclusions While most medical students demonstrated positive attitudes toward diabetes education, knowledge and practice domains showed concerning gaps. The study reveals a need for enhanced diabetes education curricula that bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Structured DSME training programs should be integrated into medical education to better prepare future physicians for comprehensive diabetes care.