Assessing Awareness and Knowledge Gaps in Diabetic Distress Among Qatar's Healthcare Providers: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Background Diabetes distress refers to the emotional burden associated with the ongoing management of diabetes. It affects up to 77% of patients with diabetes and is associated with poor glycemic control, reduced adherence to treatment, and lower quality of life. Despite its clinical relevance, diabetes distress (DD) remains under‐recognised by healthcare professionals, particularly in the broader Middle East. Objective To assess the awareness and knowledge of diabetic distress among healthcare providers in a tertiary care hospital in Qatar and to identify demographic or professional factors influencing their responses. Methods A cross‐sectional survey of 64 healthcare providers at Al Khor Hospital was conducted using an 18‐item questionnaire assessing healthcare providers' Diabetes distress knowledge, consequences, and management familiarity. Associations between knowledge and factors such as specialty, experience, and prior Diabetes distress exposure were analysed using chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests with Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons. Results Only 60.3% of respondents had heard of diabetes distress. Significant knowledge gaps existed, particularly among non‐endocrinology professionals and those without prior formal education on diabetes distress. Prior exposure through educational settings was significantly associated with improved knowledge ( p < 0.05), while clinical experience alone was not. Conclusion Substantial knowledge gaps persist in recognizing and managing diabetic distress among Qatar's healthcare providers. Educational exposure was a stronger determinant of knowledge than years of experience. Structured, interdisciplinary training programs are urgently needed.