Monitoring change in diabetes care using diabetes registers: experience from divisions of general practice

Abstract

BACKGROUND The quality of care for patients with type 2 diabetes has been the subject of a number of government initiatives over the past decade. General practice has an especially important role in diabetes care.

METHODS The National Integrated Diabetes Program was introduced in 2001. Changes in the frequency of assessment and the physiological markers of diabetic control were assessed in a cohort of 2731 patients with type 2 diabetes from 16 general practice diabetes registers during 2000–2002.

RESULTS Frequency of assessment was better in patients living in low socioeconomic postcodes but did not change significantly over the 3 years. There were improvements in intermediate outcomes (HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid levels) over the period.

DISCUSSION These data provide a benchmark for improvement in the quality of diabetes care in general practice.