Easy-to-use evidence-based tools for managing patients with type 2 diabetes
by NZGG
Type 2 diabetes, which is related to obesity, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in New Zealand. More than 200,000 adults have diagnosed diabetes, predominantly type 2. About 100,000 [2010 data from Ministry health tracker estimates 55,295 (or 1.3%) New Zealanders with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes] have not yet had it diagnosed. Diabetes prevalence is about three times higher amongst Māori and Pacific populations compared with the rest of the population.
The New Zealand Guidelines Group, working with experts in the management of diabetes from across the health sector and with the Ministry of Health, have developed easy-to-use evidence-based tools to assist best practice care for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Primary care practitioners will be able to use the resources to identify patients at high risk of complications, manage raised blood pressure, control blood sugar levels well and improve glycaemic control, including when to start insulin.
At the heart of the new resources are quick reference guides, which contain algorithms or decision trees (e.g. on initiation of insulin therapy in the primary care setting). Additional tools include PowerPoint slides to assist primary health care trainers and educators train others in managing type 2 diabetes and a set of 10 online clinical question-and-answer scenarios written by expert clinicians, which GPs and nurses can use to test their understanding of the new guidance, as part of an online learning programme administered by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.