title: SWEETWISE: developing a multi-professional approach to diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The formation of a local joint professional network (LJPN) in Northamptonshire has led to a joint Continuing professional development initiative and an audit project to determine the take up of annual health checks by patients with diabetes mellitus with dentists, optometrists, pharmacists as well as the usual check with the General Medical Practice team. The findings showed that a significant number of patients (29-50%) do not access available dental, optometry and pharmacy advice. Better collaboration between the professions has the potential to improve health outcomes in diabetes mellitus and other areas where lifestyle modification reduces adverse health risks. A patient advice card (SWEETWISE) was developed by the group and could be used to help educate patients and health professionals.
authors.affiliation: 1General Practitioner,Wansford Surgery,Peterborough,UK.
authors.forename: Amrit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takhar
authors.affiliation: 2Local Dental Committee,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.affiliation: 3Local Pharmaceutical Committee,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Plum
authors.affiliation: 3Local Pharmaceutical Committee,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Mukesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lad
authors.affiliation: 4Specialist in Special Care Dentistry,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Manger
authors.affiliation: 2Local Dental Committee,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.affiliation: 5Local Optometric Committee,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Vinesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: 5Local Optometric Committee,Northamptonshire Local Joint Professional Network.
authors.forename: Piyus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tanna
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: advice; collaboration; dentist; diabetes; multi-professional; pharmacist