Evaluation of the care for diabetes patients by general practitioners in the province of Khouribga, Morocco

Abstract

Diabetes is a disease of concern due to its increasing frequency and high cost of care. This cross sectional study evaluated the types of care provided to diabetes patients in primary care for management of the condition. Between December 2010 and March 2011, 54 general practitioners [‎GPs]‎ in health centres in Khouribga province were asked to complete a pretested questionnaire on their care of diabetes patients. For type 2 diabetes, 46% of the GPs would prescribe diet and lifestyle treatment alone. The practice setting influenced how treatment was managed for type1 diabetes patients: 88.5% of rural doctors prescribed premixed insulin versus 58.3% of urban GPs [‎P = 0.02]‎. Insulin analogues were prescribed by 20.8% of urban GPs as against 3.8% of rural GPs [‎P = 0.09]‎. There are several shortcomings in the quality of care for diabetes patients. Training GPs could be a solution, especially with the lack of specialists in our country