(P306) What is the Impact of Structured Training for Paraprofessional and Professional Diabetes Educators?

Key Takeaways of Your Research: • Non-specialist health professionals and Diabetes Community Care Coordinators who participated in a pilot study for structured diabetes training demonstrated improvement in knowledge score and self-confidence in diabetes care and education.• Participants self-reported improvement in knowledge across all ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors Framework™. • Diabetes Community Care Coordinators were most receptive to complete training modules and reported satisfaction with education.

Background/Purpose: Patients receive diabetes-related information from all members of the health care team. The Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (ADCES) defines the level of practice, knowledge, and skills for Diabetes Community Care Coordinators, non-specialist clinicians, and diabetes care and education specialists. The purpose of this study was to assess usage of ADCES modules to improve knowledge of Diabetes Community Care Coordinators and non-specialist clinicians. Research Hypothesis and/or Research Questions and Specific

Aims: We hypothesized that both Diabetes Community Care Coordinators and non-specialist health care professionals who complete ADCES basic, paraprofessional 1, and paraprofessional 2 training modules will improve in essential knowledge to deliver diabetes care and education based on their scope of practice. Methods/Methodology: This pilot study compared change in pretest and posttest scores by participants assigned to complete ADCES modules. Participants were health system employees defined as paraprofessional 1, paraprofessional 2, and basic diabetes educator. Employees providing diabetes prevention or diabetes self-management (DSMES) services, working primarily in pediatrics, or working within an office with a DSMES site were excluded. Eighty-six employees were enrolled.

Results: Fifty-nine employees completed the pretest and posttest and 49 employees completed ADCES modules. More Diabetes Community Care Coordinators enrolled and completed training modules than non-specialist clinicians. Knowledge scores as a percentage improved in all groups. Basic educator scores improved 11.3 (p=0.041), paraprofessional 1 scores improved 17.5 (p < 0.001), and paraprofessional 2 scores improved 17.2 (p < 0.001). Additionally, all groups reported a statistically significant increase in self-confidence rating on a 5-point Likert scale and 60-67% of participants plan to make changes in their practice. Most employees who completed training would recommend the ADCES modules and reported knowledge gained in all ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors™. Conclusions (Impact on Diabetes Care and Education): Structured training for Diabetes Community Care Coordinators and non-specialist clinicians can improve diabetes knowledge and employee confidence. Diabetes Community Care Coordinators were more receptive to diabetes training and showed greater improvement in knowledge scores. Future training for non-specialist clinicians may need to be more concise to increase employee acceptance. Source of Funding for this Research: Support for this project was provided by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists.