Introduction of diabetes passports involving both patients and professionals to improve hospital outpatient diabetes care

Dijkstra, R.F.; Braspenning, J.C.C.; Huijsmans, Z.; Akkermans, R.P.; van Ballegooie, E.; ten Have, P.; Casparie, T.; Grol, R.P.T.M.

doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2004.09.020

« Previous Next »Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume 68, Issue 2 , Pages 126-134, May 2005

Introduction of diabetes passports involving both patients and professionals to improve hospital outpatient diabetes care

R.F. Dijkstra
- Centre for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +31 24 3619 640; fax: +31 24 3540 166.
J.C.C. Braspenning
- Centre for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Z. Huijsmans
- Centre for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
R.P. Akkermans
- Centre for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
E. van Ballegooie
- Isala Clinics, P.O. Box 10500, 8000 GM Zwolle, The Netherlands
P. ten Have
- Dutch Institute for Health Care Improvement (CBO), P.O. Box 20064, 3501 LB Utrecht, The Netherlands
T. Casparie
- Centre for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
R.P.T.M. Grol
- Centre for Quality of Care Research, University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Received 3 August 2004; accepted 2 September 2004. published online 12 January 2005.

Abstract

Aim:

To investigate whether a comprehensive strategy involving both patients and professionals, with the introduction of a diabetes passport as a key component, improves diabetes care.

Methods:

The first 150 consecutive patients who visited their internist for a diabetes check up at the internal medicine outpatient departments at each of nine Dutch general hospitals were included in this 1 year clustered, randomised, controlled trial. Health care professionals attended an educational meeting about the use and dissemination of the diabetes passport which is a patient held record. They also received aggregated feedback on baseline data and personal feedback. Educational meetings were also organised for patients. Patient files were used in conjunction with questionnaires to determine adherence rates. Data were analysed using multilevel regression analysis.

Results:

Small but significant changes were found in mean HbA₁c levels. In the intervention group, positive health changes for patients were found (−0.3%) when compared to those in the control group (+0.2%). Diastolic blood pressure improved slightly, but no changes were found in systolic blood pressure or cholesterol. Improvements were found with regard to levels of examination of patients’ feet and in patient education.

Conclusions:

Efforts to improve professional practice involving both professionals and patients led to small improvements in HbA₁c and diastolic blood pressure levels. Further study is needed to establish whether a better structured health care delivery, operating in a more supportive environment can enhance these effects.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Delivery of health care, Guidelines, Patient participation, Physician patient relations, Intervention studies