Self-care for Diabetic Patients in Primary Care

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases which primary care family physician encounters. This study was performed to describe the medical care for patients with diabetes based on the Cheonan Practice-Based Research Network. Methods: From May 2005 to July 2005, 193 patients with diabetes were assessed among the patients visiting seven family medicine clinics in Cheonan. The data were collected through a questionnaire about patient's socioeconomic characteristics, the details of medical care including screening practices of diabetic complications, self-monitoring of blood glucose and exercise. Results: Among the patients with diabetes, 25.4% reported no exercise and another 29.6% reported regular exercise of more than 4 times a week. The less educated and the more elderly patients reported less exercise. Only 37.3% of patients monitored their blood glucose at home. The more educated, the more likely the patients monitored their blood glucose. Only 18.1% of patients reported having an annual 24-hour urine protein examination. The more educated and the more income they had, the more annual 24-hour urine protein examination was done. Only 32.6% of patients reported having an annual ophthalmologic examination, but there was no associated factors with having an annual ophthalmologic examination. Conclusion: These data indicate that the medical care for diabetic patients, including exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose, screening of complications, may not be optimal for preventing diabetes complications, and was influenced by demographic characteristics such as age and education level. It is necessary for health care team to provide systematic education for diabetes and ongoing close monitoring of self care practices.