title: A look into the future: improving diabetes care by 2015.
abstract: Insulin initiation, which was traditionally the province of specialists, is increasingly undertaken by primary care. However, significant barriers to appropriate and timely initiation still exist. Whilst insulin is recognized as providing the most effective treatment in type 2 diabetes, it is also widely considered to be the most challenging and time consuming. This editorial identifies that the organization of existing healthcare services, the challenges faced by patients, and the treatments themselves contribute to suboptimal insulin management. In order to improve future diabetes care, it will be necessary to address all three problem areas: (1) re-think the best use of existing human and financial resources to promote and support patient self-management and adherence to treatment; (2) empower patients to participate more actively in treatment decision making; and (3) improve acceptance, persistence and adherence to therapy by continuing to refine insulin therapy and treatment regimens in terms of safety, simplicity and convenience. The principles discussed are also applicable to the successful management of any chronic medical illness.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brunton
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gough
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Etie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moghissi
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peyrot
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maria Schumm-Draeger
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: Anthony H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Barnett
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin