Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of primary health physicians towards self-glucose monitoring in patients with type2 diabetes mellitus in Palestine.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) stands as a significant global health challenge, exerting profound effects on individuals and societies. In the context of Palestine, this condition affects 9.2% of the population and contributes to a relatively high complication rate. Diabetes management strategies need to be optimized to improve patient outcomes and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system. One of these strategies is self-glucose monitoring. One of the physicians’ roles in T2DM management is explaining and guiding patients towards the integration of self-glucose monitoring into their personal diabetes management routine. This study assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physicians who care for (T2DM) patients in primary healthcare clinics in the West Bank regarding self-glucose monitoring. Methods: A cross-sectional study, it was applied to 300 physicians working in PHC centers. The study period was from January to March 2024 Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 300 doctors participated in this study. The median age of the doctors was 35.0 [30.0, 41.0] years. Of the doctors, 180 (60.0%) were male. The median duration of practice as a doctor was 9.0 [5.0, 15.0] years. Most, 252 (84.0%), were general practitioners, 38 (12.7%) family medicine specialists, and 10 (3.3%) other specialties. Female doctors and those who saw more patients reported better knowledge (p < 0.05). The majority believed that self-glucose monitoring can improve patient outcomes, knew values of self-glucose monitoring that corresponded to HbA1c control and the microvascular consequences of diabetes, and realized the important of self-glucose monitoring for patient. Regarding the doctors’practices, 39.3% of the doctors stated that they would recommend self-glucose monitoring to newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients more than one time a day. Conclusion: Primary healthcare physicians had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards self-glucose monitoring, but 40% not confident or somewhat confident about interpreting self-monitoring data and adjusting treatment plans. Physicians’ practices related to self-glucose monitoring was less than optimal. Future studies should investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physicians who care for the patients in the private sector. ALSO call for more frequent continuing education.