Diabetes processes of care in the Australian veteran population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of veterans with diabetes who had claims for recommended processes of diabetes care in 2005.


METHODS
Observational study of 19,810 veterans' dispensed medicines indicative of diabetes. Claims to the Department of Veterans' Affairs for HbA(1c), microalbuminuria, ophthalmology or optometry services, podiatry services, diabetes care plans, medication reviews, case conferences and GP management plans were assessed.


RESULTS
Overall 63% had at least one HbA(1c) claim in the year under review, while 40% had a microalbuminuria claim. The majority (87%) had a claim for an ophthalmology or optometry service, while two-thirds had a podiatry service claim. Only one-fifth had claims for an annual diabetes care plan. Just under half had a claim for any type of care plan, including medication review, discharge plan, case conference, GP management plan or health care plan. Veterans resident in aged-care facilities were significantly less likely to have claims for any of these services apart from medication review.


CONCLUSIONS
While administrative claims data may under-represent some processes of care carried out routinely in general practice, this study suggests under-utilisation of services for veterans with diabetes, particularly those resident in aged-care facilities.
Roughead
Elizabeth E
EE
Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia. libby.roughead@unisa.edu.au
Barratt
John
J
Gilbert
Andrew L
AL
Peck
Robert
R
Killer
Graeme
G
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin