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- Title
An Audit Reviewing Patient Choice for Using the Alphabet Strategy.
- Authors
Afzal, Mariyam; Berry, Helena; Gopinath, Amitha; Patel, Vinod
- Abstract
Introduction and Aims: Studies looking at Type 1 & Type 2 diabetes have shown that the frequency of all diabetic complications can be lowered and slowed with good glycaemic, blood pressure and cholesterol control. The Alphabet Strategy is one approach to ensuring that patients receive all the main aspects of care in an evidence-based, patient centred, multidisciplinary manner. The basis of this strategy is: Advice (diet, exercise, smoking cessation, treatment concordance), Blood Pressure (< 145/85mmHg), Cholesterol (<5mmol/1), Diabetes Control (HbA1c%<7.5%), Eye and Foot care (annually), Guardian drugs (e.g. aspirin, ACE-I). During a pilot study, it was identified that the majority of diabetes patients were not aware of the Alphabet Strategy in our clinic. The aim of the study was to ascertain how useful the patients found the Alphabet Strategy and whether they preferred the Posters, Care Plan or a Diabetes Care "Passport". Method: We reviewed the above for ease of use, comprehension and efficacy using a questionnaire. We surveyed 100 patients and 15 staff members. Comparative analyses of outcome were performed using Student's t-tests. Results: Patients found the Diabetes Passport superior to the Care Plan and Posters: • 47.9% rated it best (vs. 12.7% Care Plan and 39.4% Posters) • 40.3% found it most useful (vs. 23.6% Care Plan and 36.1% Posters) • 59.1% would like to have one (vs. 16.7% Care Plan and 24.2% Posters) The Diabetes Passport was also the easiest to understand (78% score vs. 73.5%). Statistically significant results were obtained in the comparison between the Diabetes Passport and the Care Plan (p=0.0043). Posters were superior to the Care Plan (p<0.01). Conclusions: Research has shown that using a programme such as the Alphabet Strategy can reduce the complications of diabetes by 50%. This study shows that the Diabetes Passport is the preferred choice for using the Alphabet Strategy by patients. If this can be introduced to patients, there is significant potential to improve diabetes education and reduce complications of diabetes.
- Subjects
TREATMENT of diabetes; PATIENT education; PEOPLE with diabetes; HEALTH counseling; REGULATION of blood pressure; MEDICAL care
- Publication
Diabetes, 2007, Vol 56, pA225
- ISSN
0012-1797
- Publication type
Article