Knowledge and awareness of type 1 diabetes among primary school initial teacher trainees

Abstract

New guidelines state that all school staff involved in the care of children and young people with diabetes need to receive training to do so. However, trainee teachers are unlikely to receive this education before they have qualified, even though they may have to support these children while on placement. These authors have developed a questionnaire to assess trainee teachers' knowledge of type 1 diabetes and its management. Applying the questionnaire to three cohorts of trainee teachers revealed inadequate knowledge. Education about diabetes should form part of initial teacher training or even part of secondary education. The questionnaire could also be used to evaluate the effects of diabetes training.