Approach
The aim of the project was the systematic application of the Diabetes Score of the Swiss Society of Endocrinology and Diabetology (SGED) in outpatient primary care. The score was applied retrospectively (2017) and prospectively (2018) to record the quality of care for people with diabetes in a structured manner and to make it comparable over time. A total of around 720 patients affected by diabetes in nine primary care group and individual practices in Eastern Switzerland were included. In addition to the eight SGED score criteria, five medication-related parameters were collected: oral antidiabetics, insulin, antihypertensives, statins, and influenza vaccination. Electronic data collection took place directly in the practices via a cloud-based tool from Roche Diabetes Care, with the goal of practical and standardized documentation. An ethics application for this study was submitted to the Ethics Committee of Eastern Switzerland, which was granted.
Findings
The results showed a quality of care independent of the type of practice, as well as significant improvements in relevant parameters at the patient level. An easy-to-use, practice-compatible electronic input tool that enables efficient documentation in everyday practice proved to be a central success factor. The analysis also made it clear that there is potential for improvement in the quality of care, but that sustainable effects require the motivation of patients and professionals as well as more intensive interprofessional cooperation.
Publications & Results
This project was conducted by Dr. Astrid Czock in her capacity as Managing Director of QualiCCare.