[Quality of diabetes education and shared care between family practice and the diabetes clinic].

Aim: To evaluate the quality of diabetes group-based education followed by shared care. The diabetes education program includes screening for diabetic complications and a scheme for follow-up is planned. Patients with microvascular complications visit the diabetes clinic four times a year. Patients without microvascular complications visit their general practitioner every third month and the diabetes clinic once a year.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective data of 100 newly-referred patients with Type 2 diabetes with quality standards given in parenthesis.

Results: 86% (>80%) of the patients visited our diabetes clinic 2 years after diabetes education and 73% (>80%) visited their general practitioner. After 2 years HbA1c and blood pressure were assessed in 100% of the patients (>95%), while urinary albumin was measured in 99% (>90%) and eye examinations performed in 95% (>90%) of the patients. HbA1C <7% was found in 55% (60%) 2 years after the diabetes education. HbA1C <8% was found in 83% (>80%) after 2 years after diabetes education. Blood pressure < or =130/80 mmHg was found in 40% 2 years after diabetes education. Blood pressure < or =140/90 mmHg was found in 62% (>80%) 2 years after diabetes education. Permanent micro- and macroalbuminuria was shown in 7% at diabetes education and 3% 2 years later. Total cholesterol <4.5 mmol/l in 57% (>80%) 2 years after diabetes education.

Conclusion: The quality of the organization of diabetes care and glycemic control was good. The goals for management of hyperlipidaemia and blood pressure were not accomplished. By means of screening 7% of patients were diagnosed with micro- or macroalbuminuria.