Diabetes

Achieving Targets in Diabetes Care

Diabetes is one of the Australian Government's National Health Priority Areas. It is a significant and increasing health issue in this country, which poses a considerable burden to patients, healthcare professionals and healthcare resources.

Qualitative Research

The Pharmaceutical Alliance conducted independent research¹ with medical practitioners to uncover just how complex and difficult diabetes can be to manage - both for patients and healthcare professionals. To gain an understanding of the barriers to achieving the recognised targets, qualitative research was carried out in two stages:

• Phase 1: 12 GPs, 4 endocrinologists, 6 diabetes nurse educators
• Phase 2: 20 people with known diabetes

The research highlighted the very real difficulties medical practitioners face every day in managing type 2 diabetes, split across five key barriers:

1. Patient – attitude to diabetes; awareness and understanding of  treatment targets; non compliance with lifestyle changes and  medicines; lifetime challenge of chronic disease; gaps in information
   
2. Practitioner – flexible attitudes towards targets; difficulty in keeping up to date; motivation of patients to make changes or to adhere; limited consultation time; shortage of/inability to refer to educators
   
3. Medical – co-morbidities; diabetes complexity and complications; polypharmacy
   
4. Systemic – problems in the treatment cycle or medical system
   
5. Social/economic – cultural factors; cost of medicines and GP visits
   

To download a full copy of the report click here

The outcomes of this research prompted the development of DAVE^TM, a unique state-of-the-art EDSS (Electronic Decision Support System).

About DAVE^TM

Developed in partnership with GPs, diabetes experts and Diabetes Australia, DAVE^TM helps healthcare professionals successfully complete the complex reviews and decision-making processes for type 2 diabetes patients within the time constraints of a consult. Based on the latest clinical guidelines, it ultimately promotes the provision of effective, evidence-based diabetes management plans.

How it works

DAVE^TM allows GPs, for the first time, to clearly review the relevant clinical data for their type 2 diabetes patients as well as assess their overall health status and relevant health issues. Based on the latest clinical guidelines, it promotes the provision of effective evidence-based diabetes management plans and allows the practitioner to facilitate a thorough, interactive, yet efficient consultation based on latest clinical evidence.

The DAVE^TM software links effectively with existing clinical record systems enabling the data to be read from, and recorded back into, the core GP system. The tool brings all the critical information together in an easy-to-review format to help GPs and practice nurses proactively monitor their patient's health status and progress to clinical treatment goals.

Why is the software called DAVE^TM?

Feedback from our users has been that it's like having a 'third person' in the patient consultation - one that helps the consultation be thorough, interactive yet efficient.

The ultimate outcome

The work of The Pharmaceutical Alliance is focused on maximising every interaction GPs have with their type 2 diabetes patients to achieve greater control of this complex chronic disease and reduce associated health complications, and ultimately maintain or improve the patient's quality of life.

Research shows Electronic Decision Support Systems contribute to improved quality and safety of healthcare and better patient outcomes². The software tool will be one of the first healthcare software systems for management of a chronic disease to be independently evaluated, on both a qualitative and quantitative level.

For more information about DAVE^TM and to access a demonstration, visit the DAVE^TM microsite at www:consultdave.com.au

References

1. The Pharmaceutical Alliance. Understanding why Australians with type 2 diabetes are not achieving treatment. May 2007
2. AIHW General practice activity in Australia 2007-08 (BEACH program - 10th year)