Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation of an Innovative Primary and Secondary Diabetes Clinic in Western Sydney.

Publisher:
UBIQUITY PRESS LTD
Publication Type:
Journal Article
Citation:
Int J Integr Care, 2024, 24, (1), pp. 13
Issue Date:
2024
Full metadata record
INTRODUCTION: Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) established an innovative diabetes service in May 2020, using virtual and in-person care, linking primary care with the diabetes specialist team. This study evaluated the service's feasibility using qualitative and quantitative methods. METHOD: Evaluation included: 1) thematic analysis of interviews and workshops with patients and health professionals (n = 28); 2) quantitative analysis of records of patients admitted July 2020-June 2021 (n = 110). RESULTS: Key themes related to 1) benefits: convenient location, access to integrated care, advantages of virtual care; 2) challenges: hard for patients to ask questions, technology issues; 3) confidence: shared care decision making, multidisciplinary team; and 4) future directions: additional multidisciplinary services, expanded insulin stabilisation service, promotion.Improvements between baseline and 3 months included 1.3% reduction in HbA1c (p < 0.05). Sulfonylurea dropped by 25% between initial appointment and follow-up, and GLP1RA/SGLT2i use increasing by 30% (p < 0.05). The clinic covered costs using Medicare billings and Nationally Weighted Activity Units. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest this integrated care model was feasible and perceived as beneficial by both patients and providers. The clinic offers a promising model of practice that could be developed further to roll out in other regions for rural delivery of care.
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