- In Vivo Metabolic
Regulation and Obesity - Islet Development,
Biology, and
Immunology - Complications of
Diabetes - Oxidative stress
- Signal transduction
and Gene Regulation - Clinical Research
- Translational Research
Assessment Scales and Educational Materials
The Prevention and Control Division of the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) conducts clinical and behavioral research in diabetes and diabetes prevention. The Prevention and Control Division has developed several assessment scales and educaiotnal materials that are available for use. Links for downloadable files and explanations of the scales are located below.
Diabetes Related Literacy/Numeracy Scales
1. SKILLD (Diabetes Knowledge Scale)
This 10 item scale can be used to assess diabetes knowledge among patients with low literacy skills. A manuscript
detailing the validity of this scale is available at:
Rothman RL, Pignone M, Malone R, Bryant B, Wolfe C. The Spoken Knowledge in Low-Literacy in Diabetes
(SKILLD) Test: A new scale of diabetes knowledge. The Diabetes Educator, Mar-Apr;31(2):215-24.
2. PDSMS (Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale)
This short 8 item scale can be used to assess perceived diabetes self-efficacy among patients with diabetes. A manuscript
detailing the validity of this scale is available at: Wallston KA, Rothman RL, Cherrington A. Psychometric Properties of the Perceived
Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS). Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 2007;In Press.
3. Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT) (PDF format)
This 43 item scale can be used to assess numeracy skills essential for diabetes self-management. Performance on the DNT correlates with diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, behaviors, and glyecmic control. More information about the scale is available at: Huizinga MM, Elasy TA, Wallston KA, et al. Development and validation of the Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT). BMC Health Serv Res. 2008;8:96, AND Cavanaugh, K., Huizinga, M. M., Wallston, K. A., Gebretsadik, T., Shintani, A., Davis, D., Gregory, R, Fuchs, L. S., Malone, R., Cherrington, A, Pignone, M. P., Dewalt, D. A., Elasy, T. A., and Rothman, R. L. Association of Numeracy and Diabetes Control. Annals of Internal Medicine 148[10]. 5-20-2008.
4. Diabetes Numeracy Test-15 (DNT-15) (PDF format)
This 15 item scale is a shortened version of the DNT. More information is available at: Huizinga MM, Elasy TA, Wallston KA, et al. Development and validation of the Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT). BMC Health Serv Res. 2008;8:96
5. DNT15-Latino (when validated) This 15 item scale is a Spanish version of the DNT15. A study validating this scale is currently in process, and the scale will be made available when this is complete.
6. Adolescent and Parental DNT
These 39-item scales were developed from the DNT. The Adolescent DNT has been used in adolescents (age 12-19) with Type 1 or
2 diabetes. The Parental DNT is designed for parents of younger children (age 0-11) with diabetes. A manuscript
describing the Adolescent DNT is currently in process.
Diabetes Educational Materials
1. Diabetes Literacy and Numeracy Education Toolkit (DLNET)
This toolkit includes over 24 chapters that can used in educating patients with diabetes — particularly those
with poor literacy or numeracy skills. Providers can use different sections of the toolkit as they see fit.
Section A includes instructions about how to use the toolkit. Section B includes the toolkit. Section 3 includes
a "Scoops List" for patients started on the "Scoops" method for diet management.
- INSTRUCTIONS (PDF format)
- TOOLKIT (PDF format)
- "SCOOPS" LIST (Excel file)
Please note:
These materials were designed to improve educational interactions between diabetes providers and their patients. These materials are intended only for use by qualified health professionals in conjunction with their patients. Professionals opting to use these materials take responsibility for any liability issues related to their use. Specific recommendations to patients by providers may vary from what is included in these materials.
