DiabetesGeneral practice is the gateway to health care for most Australians and as such can have the greatest impact on the health outcomes of the community. For the approximately 940,000 Australians with diabetes, general practice through effectively structured systems can provide a coordinated approach to diabetes care through early detection and appropriate management thus minimising the personal and economic impact of the disease. For indigenous Australians diabetes is a significant health problem and while type I diabetes is rare, they are 3 times more likely to have type II diabetes compared to the general population. The onset of diabetes occurs earlier among indigenous people, which leads to a greater burden of illness associated with the complications of diabetes. The Hunter Rural Division of General Practice’s Diabetes Program aims to improve the management of people with diabetes in the Division area by ensuring that persons diagnosed with diabetes receive regular and appropriate assessment and treatment based on current guidelines and best practice care. The Division has developed an electronic 2-year diabetes plan that encompasses and encourages the use of the new Chronic Disease Management care planning incentives, access to private allied health providers, regular review in line with the current recommendations for diabetes and prompts for clinical care based on the minimum requirements set down by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Diabetes Australia (DA). |
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