A checklist that enhances the provision of education during insulin initiation simulation: a randomized controlled trial. Issue 9 (16th October 2015) - Taylor, C. G.
Abstract: Aim: The study tested the hypothesis that doctors using an insulin information checklist during simulated insulin initiation would impart more information regarding insulin use. Methods: A total of 128 simulations were conducted. Doctors ( n = 64) were recruited from practitioners recently completing internship ( n = 19) and those established in primary care ( n = 45). Both groups of doctors were strata randomized to control ( n = 32) and intervention groups ( n = 32), so that each group contained equal numbers. Doctors in each group experienced two identical simulations of insulin initiation with an intervening period of 10 min. Doctors in the intervention arm were introduced to an insulin initiation checklist, which they reviewed independently and utilized in the second simulation. Trained assessors captured the provision of education in 21 predefined educational areas. Differences in the change of the total education provided between the first and second simulations were assessed using linear regression. Results: The difference in the mean change of education provided between the first and second simulations within the 21 educational areas for the control and treatment groups was 9.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.8–11.1, P < 0.001] – an increase of 46.2%. The difference for the 15 areas relevant to pen use was 7.3 (95% CI: 6.2–8.4, P < 0.001) – an increase of 51.6%. Conclusions: The checklist resulted in doctors providing significantly more education applicable to syringe and insulin pen routes of insulin administration during simulations. Further research is needed on the checklist's impact on healthcare professionals and patient outcomes in the clinical context. (Clinical Trials Registry No: NCT02266303) What's new?: The provision of education by healthcare professionals to people with diabetes during insulin initiation is a potentially complex task given the extent of education required. Checklists have proven to be beneficial in a number of areas within healthcare, but there are no published studies on their value during insulin initiation by doctors. This paper presents a randomized control trial that shows significantly increased education imparted by doctors utilizing a checklist during simulated insulin initiation. The checklist is applicable to insulin administration with a syringe or pen.