Educating diabetes camp counselors with a human patient simulator: A pilot study

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to pilot test the feasibility and efficacy of a novel method of teaching camp counselors hypoglycemia management. Design and Methods. During orientation, counselors were assigned to the experimental (n= 21) or control (n= 15) group and received hypoglycemia education. The experimental group received supplemental education with a human patient simulator (HPS). Results. Baseline demographics, knowledge, and self-efficacy were similar between groups. The experimental group had a significantly larger gain in diabetes knowledge than the control group. Within-participant change in self-efficacy did not differ by group. We observed a significant effect modification, with larger treatment-related differences in the small subgroup with no previous diabetes exposure. Practice Implications. This feasibility study demonstrated the ease of teaching diabetes management to camp counselors using HPS.