Protocol and baseline data from The Inala Chronic Disease Management Service evaluation study: a health services intervention study for diabetes care.
BACKGROUND
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most disabling chronic conditions worldwide, resulting in significant human, social and economic costs and placing huge demands on health care systems. The Inala Chronic Disease Management Service aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of care for patients with type 2 diabetes who have been referred by their general practitioner to a specialist diabetes outpatient clinic. Care is provided by a multidisciplinary, integrated team consisting of an endocrinologist, diabetes nurse educators, General Practitioner Clinical Fellows (general practitioners who have undertaken focussed post-graduate training in complex diabetes care), and allied health personnel (a dietitian, podiatrist and psychologist).


METHODS
Using a geographical control, this evaluation study tests the impact of this model of diabetes care provided by the service on patient outcomes compared to usual care provided at the specialist diabetes outpatient clinic. Data collection at baseline, 6 and 12-months will compare the primary outcome (glycaemic control) and secondary outcomes (serum lipid profile, blood pressure, physical activity, smoking status, quality of life, diabetes self-efficacy and cost-effectiveness).


CONCLUSIONS
This model of diabetes care combines the patient focus and holistic care valued by the primary care sector with the specialised knowledge and skills of hospital diabetes care. Our study will provide empirical evidence about the clinical effectiveness of this model of care.


BACKGROUND
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12608000010392.
Askew
Deborah A
DA
Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. d.askew@uq.edu.au
Jackson
Claire L
CL
Ware
Robert S
RS
Russell
Anthony
A
D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003625:Data Collection; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011793:Queensland; D012648:Self Care; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology