Structured diabetes care leads to differences in organization of care in general practices: the healthcare professional and patient perspective

Andrea S Fokkens,Klaas Van Der Meer,P Auke Wiegersma,Sijmen A Reijneveld

doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-113

Andrea S Fokkens, Klaas Van Der Meer + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-11-113

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundCare for patients with chronic diseases is challenging and requires multifaceted interventions to appropriately coordinate the entire treatment process. The effect of such interventions on clinical outcomes has been assessed, but evidence of the effect on organization of care is scarce.The aim is to assess the effect of structured diabetes care on organization of care from the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals in routine practice, and to ascertain whether this effect persistsMethodsIn a quasi-experimental study the effect of structured care (SC) was compared with care-as-usual (CAU). Questionnaires were sent to healthcare professionals (SC n = 31; CAU n = 11) and to patients (SC n = 301; CAU n = 102). A follow-up questionnaire was sent after formal support of the intervention ended (2007).ResultsSC does have an effect on the organization of care. More cooperation between healthcare professionals, less referrals to secondary care and more education were reported in the SC group as compared to the CAU group. These changes were found both at the healthcare professional and at the patient level. Organizational changes remained after formal support for the intervention support had ended.ConclusionAccording to patients and healthcare professionals, structured care does have a positive effect on the organization of care. The use of these two sources of information is important, not only to assess the value of changes in care for the patient and the healthcare provider but also to ascertain the validity of the results found.

Highlights

Care for patients with chronic diseases is challenging and requires multifaceted interventions to appropriately coordinate the entire treatment process
The aim of this study is to assess the effect of structured diabetes care on the organization of care according to the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals in day-to-day practice, and to assess whether this effect persists
Patients in the CAU group had a longer duration of diabetes, a Content of structured diabetes type 2 care

Summary

Introduction

Care for patients with chronic diseases is challenging and requires multifaceted interventions to appropriately coordinate the entire treatment process The effect of such interventions on clinical outcomes has been assessed, but evidence of the effect on organization of care is scarce. Care for patients with chronic diseases such as asthma, hypertension, and diabetes is challenging and requires multifaceted interventions in order to appropriately coordinate the entire treatment process [1]. An assessment of the effectiveness of an intervention should assess the effect at the patient level and at the level of the healthcare professional [16,17,18], because their perspectives about organization of care can differ widely This is relevant in order to appropriately assess instant outcomes and to determine the likelihood of a longer lasting effect. The perspective of the healthcare professional is relevant

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion