RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Type 2 diabetes in family practice. Room for improvement.
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 778
OP 785
VO 49
IS 6
A1 Stewart B Harris
A1 Moira Stewart
A1 Judith Belle Brown
A1 Stephen Wetmore
A1 Catherine Faulds
A1 Susan Webster-Bogaert
A1 Sheila Porter
YR 2003
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/49/6/778.abstract
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.