Multidisciplinary care plans and diabetes--benefits for patients with poor glycaemic control.
BACKGROUND
The authors have previously found that multidisciplinary care plans are associated with improved processes and outcomes of care for diabetic patients. This article examines whether care plans are more likely to be implemented and have greater benefit for patients with poor metabolic control.


METHODS
Retrospective before and after medical record audit of 230 type 2 diabetic patients with care plans.


RESULTS
There was more multidisciplinary care provided and a significant decrease in mean post-care plan glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients who had a pre-care plan HbA1c level of more than 7%, but no significant change in those patients with HbA1c of 7% or less.


CONCLUSIONS
Care plans are beneficial and more often implemented for patients with poor metabolic control. If this positive impact is due to the implementation of multidisciplinary care, questions are raised about the relative effectiveness of general practitioner management plans and team care arrangements, as the former do not necessarily involve other health professionals.
Zwar
Nicholas
N
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales. n.zwar@unsw.edu.au
Hasan
Iqbal
I
Hermiz
Oshana
O
Vagholkar
Sanjyot
S
Comino
Elizabeth
E
Harris
Mark
M
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008485:Medical Audit; D009517:New South Wales; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human