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Effectiveness of changes in the delivery of diabetes care in a rural community
Author(s) -
O'Grady Andrew,
Simmons David,
Tupe Stan,
Hewlett Gailene
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
australian journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.48
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1440-1584
pISSN - 1038-5282
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1584.2001.00336.x
Subject(s) - audit , diabetes mellitus , fructosamine , medicine , type 2 diabetes , devolution (biology) , nursing , family medicine , business , endocrinology , accounting , bipedalism , anatomy
Diabetes has a significant impact upon health in rural Maori communities. A diabetes club was established to support self‐care and improve diabetes management in a rural community in Northland, New Zealand. A structured approach to care and an associated audit were also introduced. Patient involvement and ownership of the condition were considered important issues. Monitoring of care processes increased by 79%. The first year of audit was associated with a reduction in mean fructosamine from 369 ± 85 µmol L −1 to 321 ± 65 µmol L −1 and this was sustained for a further 3 years. The number of people using insulin increased from 15 to 22%. The audit process facilitated the implementation of changes in the delivery of care. We conclude that the data indicate that the enthusiastic delivery of care in general practice, with a devolution of power to the patient, linked to an audit service can result in improved management among patients with Type 2 diabetes.