Challenges of Physicians’ Training Program on Diabetes Prevention and Control

Introduction: Diabetes Prevention and Control has become among the nation's health system priorities in recent decade. Meanwhile, educational programs for executives have been designed and implemented. Tha aim of this study was to describe the situation of training of general practitioners who care diabetiv patients under National Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. Methods: This study is a qualitative content analysis (the conventional type). Data gathering was done through unstructured interviews with eight of diabetes management planners in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education as well as officials of the health system in Isfahan, and six general practitioners working in diabetes centers in Isfahan province. Observations and several field notes as well as existing records, documents, and technical notes were other sources of data collection. After manuscript analysis, meaning units, codes, categories, and key themes were achieved. The strategies for results validation included triangulation of data collection sources and methods, continuous observations in the field, and supervision and review of the analysis process by research team. Results: Three major themes and six sub-themes were emerged through qualitative data analysis. Major themes were (1) unstructured education including sub-themes of lack of continuous primary training among freshmen and lack of retraining for physicians (2) inadequate physician's competence including sub-themes of inadequate knowledge, and lack of success in earning patients and colleagues' trust (3) barriers to effective education including sub-themes of planning-related challenges, inadequate supervision on physician training process. Conclusion: Despite the importance of physician roles in diabetes management in health care centers, findings showed their education is faced with significant shortcomings.