College of Nursing and Health Sciences DNP Defense - Erika Falandys
College of Nursing and Health Sciences DNP Defense of Erika Falandys
Date: April 15, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
ZOOM: Contact dhoffman@umassd.edu for link
Title: The Impact of a Diabetes Education Intervention on Knowledge in Latino and Hispanic Patients with Type 2 Diabetes at a Community Health Center
Committee:
DNP Project Chair: Dr. Natalie Correia
Second Faculty Mentor: Dr. Peeranuch LeSeure
Site Mentor: Dr. Kelly Burke
Abstract
Background: Diabetes remains a significant public health challenge in the United States, disproportionately affecting underserved populations. Individuals from Latino communities are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic populations.
Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to enhance patient knowledge of Type 2 diabetes. It was hypothesized that a structured educational intervention would improve participant knowledge.
Methods: The project was conducted at a community-based clinic in Taunton, Massachusetts, serving a predominantly Hispanic/Latino population. A pretest–posttest design with a convenience sample was used. Demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, to summarize participant characteristics. Participants completed the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire-Revised (DKQ-R) prior to a 15-minute educational session and immediately following the intervention. Quantitative analysis was conducted using a two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test due to the small sample size and non-normal distribution of data. Open-ended qualitative questions were included in the questionnaire to assess participant perceptions of the intervention.
Results: No statistically significant difference was found between pre- and post-intervention DKQ-R scores at an alpha level of 0.05 (V = 0.00, z = 1.84, p = 0.066). Qualitative findings indicated that participants perceived the educational intervention as valuable and informative; however, the thematic analysis was limited by the absence of in-depth participant interviews.
Future Implications: The absence of statistically significant findings suggests that a single, brief educational intervention may be insufficient to produce measurable changes in diabetes knowledge. Future projects should include larger sample sizes, incorporate qualitative interviews to strengthen thematic analysis, and explore strategies to reinforce and sustain knowledge over time.
Keywords: Latino, Hispanic, community health, patient education, Type 2 Diabetes
ZOOM
Deanna Hoffman
dhoffman@umassd.edu