Comparing perceived and actual diabetes knowledge among nurses: A rapid review

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses are valuable care providers to people with diabetes, yet day-to-day diabetes management most heavily relies on self-care practice. Inaccurate self-perceptions of diabetes knowledge among nurses may be linked to inadequate adherence to self-care practice among people with diabetes. Methods: The present study is a rapid review of perceived and actual diabetes care-related knowledge among nurses since an unusual inverse correlation of perceived and actual knowledge was first reported by Drass and colleagues in 1989. Results: Seventeen studies in 10 countries met the eligibility criteria for full review. Discussion: Low-to-moderate positive correlations revealed a discrepancy between perceived and actual knowledge among various nursing fields. Conclusion: Nurses with an accurate assessment of their own diabetes knowledge may be better equipped to not only treat people with diabetes, but also promote self-care practice through formal or informal interaction.