Cross-Sectional Study of the Impact of the COVID-Pandemic on Diabetes Management in Primary Care in Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

Background: This study describes the impact of the pandemic on the management of people with type 2 diabetes (PwT2D) in a primary care network with existing virtual care capabilities in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Using de-identified primary care electronic medical records, PwT2D who had at least one healthcare touchpoint between March 1, 2018 and February 28, 2021 were analyzed by time period (baseline 2018-19, pre-COVID-19 2019-20, COVID-19 2020-21) . The primary outcome measures include the number of people with at least one visit, number of people with vital measurements or lab tests, and the vital or lab results. Results: The three time periods had a similar average age and gender distribution (Table 1) . Compared to the pre-COVID-period, fewer people had any healthcare touchpoint (17% reduction) . In-person visits were reduced while more people had virtual visits. Fewer people had test results recorded during the COVID-vs. two pre-COVID-time periods, however, average results were similar across all three time periods. Conclusion: Our study described the immediate impact of the COVID-pandemic on patterns of primary care for PwT2D. While the total number people getting tests remains below pre-pandemic levels, of those who sought care, the mean A1c, LDL-c and eGFR were comparable across the three time periods.