ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Long asymptomatic course of diabetes and insufficient treatment lead to many chronic complications. AIM OF STUDY: Assessment of the quality of ambulatory diabetes care in Szczecin and nearest region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In year 2001 patients with previously diagnosed diabetes hospitalized in 35 wards of several hospitals in Szczecin were inquired for data concerning ambulatory care before hospitalization. STUDY GROUP: 120 subjects (60 women and 60 men), aged 65 +/- 13 years, diabetes duration 9.1 +/- 7.1 years. Type 2 diabetes--104 cases, type 1-10 cases, other types of diabetes--6 cases. RESULTS: Health care was provided by general practitioners (GPs) for 63% of patients, by diabetologist for 31% of them; 6% stayed out of control. In the proceeding month 49% of subjects attended visit related to diabetes; in 10% such a visit was reported in the period longer than 6 months. Glucose measurement performed every day was reported by 28% of subjects, once a month--by 36%, rarely--by 15%. Blood pressure measurements were performed by doctors in 43% of subjects, self control was performed by 42% of them and in 10% blood pressure was not measured at all. In the proceeding year eyes examination related to diabetes was performed in 63% of patients; in 26% such examination was never done. Foot examination was never done in 66% of diabetics. ECG examination was done in 57% of subjects last year, in 39% it was never done. Cholesterol serum level was measured last year in 52% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Quality of ambulatory diabetes care is highly unsatisfactory and insufficient. 2. To improve health care for diabetics obligatory training in practical diabetology was conducted for all GPs from north-west region of Poland in 2002 y.
