TY - JOUR
T1 - Do multidisciplinary care plans result in better care for patients with type 2 diabetes?
AU - Zwar, Nicholas A.
AU - Hermiz, Oshana
AU - Comino, Elizabeth J.
AU - Shortus, Timothy
AU - Burns, Joan
AU - Harris, Mark
N1 - The journal is open access, readership of the publicly available online
PY - 2007/1/1
Y1 - 2007/1/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of the Enhanced Primary Care package, care plans have become part of Australian general practice. Previous research has focused on barriers to the uptake of care plans. This study examined the effect of multidisciplinary care plans on provision and outcome of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A retrospective before/after medical record audit design was chosen. Subjects of the study were general practitioners practising in Southwest Sydney (New South Wales) and their diabetic patients who had written care plans. Outcome measures were frequency and results of glycosylated haemoglobin, blood pressure, foot, serum lipids, weight, and microalbumin checks. RESULTS: The medical records of 230 patients were audited. Following the care plan, adherence to diabetes guidelines increased. Metabolic control and cardiovascular risk factors improved for patients who had multidisciplinary care implemented. DISCUSSION: Whether the improved diabetes care shown here is attributed to improved teamwork and/or coordination of care needs further research.
AB - BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of the Enhanced Primary Care package, care plans have become part of Australian general practice. Previous research has focused on barriers to the uptake of care plans. This study examined the effect of multidisciplinary care plans on provision and outcome of care for patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A retrospective before/after medical record audit design was chosen. Subjects of the study were general practitioners practising in Southwest Sydney (New South Wales) and their diabetic patients who had written care plans. Outcome measures were frequency and results of glycosylated haemoglobin, blood pressure, foot, serum lipids, weight, and microalbumin checks. RESULTS: The medical records of 230 patients were audited. Following the care plan, adherence to diabetes guidelines increased. Metabolic control and cardiovascular risk factors improved for patients who had multidisciplinary care implemented. DISCUSSION: Whether the improved diabetes care shown here is attributed to improved teamwork and/or coordination of care needs further research.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33847695352&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 17252093
AN - SCOPUS:33847695352
SN - 2208-7958
VL - 36
SP - 85
EP - 89
JO - Australian Family Physician
JF - Australian Family Physician
IS - 1-2
ER -
