Objectives: To evaluate the practical knowledge of final year medical students as
it relates to care of patients with diabetes. Methods: A convenient sample of 325
students (2006) from the Faculty of Medicine at Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya
was studied. An Arabic “Short Diabetes Knowledge Test” consisting of 24 multiple choice
questions (14 general questions and 10 questions specific to insulin-treatment issues)
was used. Results: The mean total score was 76.7% [18.4/24 (range 9-24)], 71.4% [10.0/14
(range 4-10)] for the general questions and 85% [8.5/10 (range 4-10)] for insulin-treatment
related questions. The highest scores (>90% correct) were related to clinical management
issues such as hypoglycemia, insulin-dosing, driving, and complications. Whereas,
the lowest scores (<50% correct) were in four questions related to dietary education.
Conclusions: This information should be helpful in planning the diabetes curriculum
for medical students.
Key-words:
Diabetes - medical students - undergraduate medical education - final clinical year
- diabetes knowledge
