DIABETES DEVICE KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE AMONG SCHOOL NURSES: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

Problem: Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic medical conditions in childhood. While manageable, these children may spend half of their day in the school setting and often need assistance from a school nurse to manage their care. Theory: Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (1977) served as the theoretical framework for this study. Research Questions: The research questions explored knowledge, confidence, and additional predictors of confidence related to diabetes devices. Design/Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. The Diabetes Device Confidence Scale (DDCS) was used to measure device confidence, while Subscale 10 of the KAT-1 instrument was utilized to assess knowledge about diabetes devices. Hierarchical regression was used to determine what effect, if any, the predictor variables had on the dependent variable of confidence. Open-ended interviews were conducted with nine school nurses across Texas, and responses were coded and analyzed to determine how or if the responses supported the quantitative analysis. Analysis: Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression modeling. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The qualitative data were integrated to further explain the quantitative data. Results: Knowledge and number of children cared for within the last five years wearing diabetes devices was significantly correlated with confidence. This was supported by the qualitative data, in which school nurses named experience and education as contributors to confidence. Conclusion: To build confidence in utilizing diabetes devices, school nurses need hands-on experience and ongoing education.