Diabetes information management systems. General practitioner and population reach.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the extent to which Australian divisions of general practice are facilitating structured management of diabetes.


METHODS
The study was conducted over a 12 month period (1998/1999) and involved two postal surveys of Australia's 123 divisions.


RESULTS
In both surveys 53% of divisions were implementing a diabetes program, the main components being continuing education of general practitioners (GPs), establishment of information systems, use of guidelines and shared care. In the 30 divisions operating a program for more than 12 months there was a significant increase in the proportion of GPs registering patients (p = 0.03) and the population who were registered with diabetes (p < 0.001). In 43% of divisions, GP reach was greater than 50%. Population reach of more than 50% was achieved by only 17% of divisions. The larger the division, the lower the GP participation rate (p = 0.001) and the lower the population reach (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to facilitate adequate reach of programs in divisions with large populations warrant consideration. This may include the formation of subgroups and support for practices and divisions to implement structured evidence based care systems for the management of chronic diseases in general practice.
Bonney
M A
MA
National Divisions Diabetes Program, Centre for General Practice Integration Studies, School of Community Medicine, University of New South Wales.
Harris
M
M
Burns
J
J
Davies
G P
GP
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012042:Registries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity