PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Stewart B Harris AU - Moira Stewart AU - Judith Belle Brown AU - Stephen Wetmore AU - Catherine Faulds AU - Susan Webster-Bogaert AU - Sheila Porter TI - Type 2 diabetes in family practice. Room for improvement. DP - 2003 Jun 01 TA - Canadian Family Physician PG - 778--785 VI - 49 IP - 6 4099 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/49/6/778.short 4100 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/49/6/778.full SO - Can Fam Physician2003 Jun 01; 49 AB - OBJECTIVE To further knowledge of diabetes management in family practice. DESIGN Retrospective, observational chart audit study. SETTNG: Southwestern Ontario. PARTICIPANT A random sample of non-academic family physicians and a random selection of their patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Glycemic control as measured by HbA1c and adherence to recommendations in clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). RESULTS Eighty-four percent of patients had at least one HbA1c test ordered in the previous year. Overall mean HbA1c was 0.079 and half-the patients had levels deemed acceptable by 1992 CPGs. Screening for microvascular complications was disappointing; only 28% were tested for microalbuminuria, and 15% were examined for diabetes-related foot conditions. Screening for macrovascular complications was more comprehensive; blood pressure was measured in 88%, and lipid profiles documented in 48%, of patient charts. CONCLUSION Management of glycemic control and screening for microvascular and macrovascular disease in family practice can be improved.