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Do Persons With Diabetes Know Their (AIC) Number?

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Cogswell Building, C-317, PO Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-2951 tharwell{at}state.mt.us

Nancy Dettori, RN

the Park County Diabetes Project, Livingston, Montana

Janet M. McDowall, RN, BSN

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena

Kim Quesenberry, RN, BSN

the Park County Diabetes Project, Livingston, Montana

Linda Priest, BS

North-west Resource Consultants, Helena, Montana.

Marcene K. Butcher, RD, CDE

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena

Benjamin N. Flook, MD

the Park County Diabetes Project, Livingston, Montana

Steven D. Helgerson, MD, MPH

Dorothy Gohdes, MD

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Helena

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to compare self-reported knowledge about Al C testing with information from the medical record.

METHODS

A telephone survey was conducted among patients with diabetes in a rural fee-for-service practice and a community health center. Self-reported information regarding Al C testing, the last Al C value, and perceived blood glucose control was compared with the most current Al C value documented in the medical record.

RESULTS

Seventy five percent of survey respondents reported having 1 or more Al C tests in the past year, which generally agreed with information from their medical records. However, only 24% of those who reported having a test remembered the actual value, and the self-reported values correlated weakly with the last Al C on the medical record. Among those with a documented Al C value, half described their blood glucose as very well controlled. The last Al C value, however, was <7.0% in only half of those respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

Persons with diabetes were aware of their previous Al C testing but did not interpret the values accurately in relation to their own glycemic control. If clinicians expect patient knowledge and understanding of glycemic control measures to improve outcomes of care, patient education will need to emphasize the meaning of these values.

The Diabetes Educator, Vol. 28, No. 1, 99-105 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/014572170202800111


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