%0 Journal Article
%T Measuring Paramedicsand#8217; Understanding of and Attitude towards Chronic Diabetes Care: A Bridge to Community Health | OMICS International
%A Eric Matthews
%A Joseph L. McTernan
%J -
%D 2015
%R 10.4172/2161-0711.1000328
%X Objective: Chronic diabetic patients need innovative, cost-effective care. Paramedics are providers whose roles are being reviewed to include non-emergent interaction in the chronic disease population. Our research studies includes the potential for paramedics to interact with the diabetic population in the United States with the goal of cost-effective care and improved clinical outcomes through patient education with a focus on self-management and establish a baseline understanding of paramedics¡¯ current knowledge of and attitude toward current chronic diabetes care. Methods: A two-part electronic survey determining paramedics¡¯ knowledge (DKT) and attitude (DAS-3) toward chronic diabetes was completed by 120 participants, of whom 73 met the inclusion criteria. Results: The majority of paramedics (79.4%, n=58) were able to answer 70% of the DKT knowledge survey questions correctly. Stronger scores on the DKT were not associated with length of time as a paramedic, age, sex, education level, having a close friend or relative with diabetes, or any of the DAS-3 components. The DAS-3 results revealed paramedics had a positive attitude about patients with diabetes and their ability to self-manage their disease. Conclusions: The research has shown that baseline paramedic understanding and attitude has the potential to expand the paramedic¡¯s scope of service within the chronic diabetic population. Further research is needed to determine if paramedic chronic diabetes intervention programs would affect patient outcomes
%K Paramedic
%K Chronic diabetes care
%K Community paramedic
%K Community health
%K omics
%K open access
%K omics publishing group
%K open access publisher
%K open access publishers
%K open access publications
%K open access journals
%K open access artcles
%K omics group
%K omicsonline
%U https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/measuring-paramedics-understanding-of-and-attitude-towards-chronic-diabetes-care-a-bridge-to-community-health-2161-0711-4-328.php?aid=40643