Management of Type 1 Diabetes in a school setting: effectiveness of an online training program for school staff

Marta Bassi; Marta Bassi; Marta Scalas; Marta Scalas; Giordano Spacco; Giordano Spacco; Viola Perasso; Daniele Franzone; Daniele Franzone; Marina Francesca Strati; Marina Francesca Strati; Francesca Dufour; Francesca Dufour; Barbara Lionetti; Barbara Lionetti; Francesca Rizza; Stefano Parodi; Giuseppe d’Annunzio; Nicola Minuto

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1228975

Frontiers in Public Health (Jan 2024)

Management of Type 1 Diabetes in a school setting: effectiveness of an online training program for school staff

Marta Bassi,
Marta Bassi,
Marta Scalas,
Marta Scalas,
Giordano Spacco,
Giordano Spacco,
Viola Perasso,
Daniele Franzone,
Daniele Franzone,
Marina Francesca Strati,
Marina Francesca Strati,
Francesca Dufour,
Francesca Dufour,
Barbara Lionetti,
Barbara Lionetti,
Francesca Rizza,
Stefano Parodi,
Giuseppe d’Annunzio,
Nicola Minuto

Affiliations

Marta Bassi: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Marta Bassi: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Marta Scalas: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Marta Scalas: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Giordano Spacco: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Giordano Spacco: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Viola Perasso: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Daniele Franzone: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Daniele Franzone: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Marina Francesca Strati: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Marina Francesca Strati: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Francesca Dufour: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Francesca Dufour: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Barbara Lionetti: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Barbara Lionetti: Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Francesca Rizza: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Stefano Parodi: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Scientific Directorate, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Giuseppe d’Annunzio: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
Nicola Minuto: Pediatric Clinic and Endocrinology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1228975
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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Background and aimsSince Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) onset usually occurs at a young age, a relevant number of affected people attend school for most of their time; it is necessary that school personnel receive appropriate education and training. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the online training program offered by IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini during and after COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThe Institute’s Diabetes team offered an online training program to school staff of the Region during COVID-19 pandemic. A validated questionnaire was proposed to all the schools in which training meetings were held in the previous 2 years (2020–2021 and 2021–2022). The questionnaire consisted of four sections: Section 1 (Socio-demographical data), Section 2 (Theoretical knowledge on T1D), Section 3 (Confidence in handling T1D), and Section 4 (Practical skills and Glucagon Administration). To evaluate the effectiveness of the online training program, the answers between participants (Group A) and non-participants (Group B) were then compared.Results225 subjects from 19 schools participated in the survey. People who participated to the training (Group A, n = 53) demonstrated better T1D theoretical knowledge compared to non-participants (Group B, n = 154; p < 0.001). Group A revealed to feel more confident in the management of children with T1D during scholastic (p = 0.006) and extra-scholastic activities (p = 0.01), in supporting the children in the administration of insulin (p < 0.001) and in recognizing hypoglycaemia (p = 0.006). Moreover, results confirmed good levels of confidence among scholastic personnel who participated in the training of administration of glucagon in case of severe hypoglycaemia.ConclusionSchool staff who took part in the online training program on management of T1D showed better theoretical knowledge and better confidence in the management of daily needs and possible emergencies of students with T1D. It appears essential to offer educational programs on T1D for school staff by implementing the use of technological tools to reach a wider population. Moreover, it is advisable to offer a more practical approach, involving educational nurses.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health

ISSN: 2296-2565 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health

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