Exploring Patient Knowledge and Perspectives to Inform the Development of a Prediabetes Education Toolkit: A cross-Sectional Survey.

Abstract

Purpose: To enhance prediabetes knowledge and management by developing a survey-informed health promotion tool.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A purposive sample of 30 patients ages 18-65 years with diabetes at a Chicago private clinic completed a survey on educational points that were unknown to them as a patient with prediabetes in September 2023. Educational points that scored the lowest on the survey served as the main points of a newly created educational checklist tool.

Findings: Findings revealed gaps in the participants' prediabetes education. While participants reported awareness about prediabetes as a condition, participants lacked the thorough understanding required for effective management of prediabetes. For example, there were knowledge gaps in essential self-care measures such as regular blood sugar monitoring, eating a balanced diet and limiting sugar intake, accessibility to information regarding medication options, and stress management.

Conclusions: Study findings highlight the need for improved educational resources that target gaps in patient understanding of prediabetes management.

Clinical evidence: The newly created tool is designed to strengthen areas of weakness and give patients the knowledge and abilities necessary for proactive treatment of prediabetes. Future investigation regarding the tool's effectiveness is necessary to evaluate its usability and efficacy in improving patient comprehension and engagement in self-care behaviors.