GPs time-poor for diabetes
July 14, 2016
LESS than half of patients
diagnosed with diabetes type 2 said
that their GP discussed the ins and
outs of the medication they were
being prescribed, according to an
NPS MedicineWise commissioned
survey by Galaxy Research.
The online survey of 502
Australian respondents aged 18
and over and taking at least one
diabetes medicine revealed only
44% of patients said their doctor
discussed medication issues,
other treatment options available
(34%) and how they feel about
the treatment options and their
preferences (28%).
NPS MedicineWise medical
adviser Dr Jeannie Yoo says that
“as GPs we are often constrained
by time, but asking patients about
their beliefs and preferences
when considering new treatment
options, as well as providing them
with details about their medicine
such as potential side effects and
how these can be managed, is
an important factor in improving
adherence.
“This is particularly important
with medicines for type 2 diabetes,
as patients are often asymptomatic
and do not feel the immediate
benefit of good glycaemic control,”
she says.
In addition, the survey showed
that more than one in four (28%)
sometimes miss doses of their
diabetes medicines, with the
majority of patients who take
two or more diabetes medicines
(87%) missing their doses because
they forget to take them or have a
change in routine.
As part of the new type 2
diabetes educational program,
NPS MedicineWise has designed a
patient decision aid tool for health
professionals, such as pharmacists,
and consumers to use when making
a joint decision about starting
metformin therapy.
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