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In an attempt to improve the treatment of diabetes, the Australian Government has completed a $34 million research project investigating the effectiveness of new methods of care coordination, enhanced through the use of technology. The research was not carried out by university or medical research institute based researchers but instead was coordinated by a consulting firm, McKinsey Pacific Rim. They worked with a range of health authorities, private companies, GP medicare locals and some academics in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.
The nearly 3 year long project established that eHealth, care coordination and targeted funding produced only marginal outcomes in the control of diabetes. The group that received the most intervention achieved a 0.2% absolute fall in their levels of HbA1c, a longterm measure of blood sugar, which according to the study’s analysis, was statistically significant.
This was hardly a stunning result for such a large-scale project. The theory was that patients with diabetes were not receiving systematic care through GP coordinated care plans actioned through a team of health professionals. According to the report:
Full story here: http://theconversation.com/the-australian-government-shows-how-not-to-do-research-about-how-to-treat-diabetes-42781
I doubt the UK fares any better, education via Desmond or the old Xpert Type 2 courses revolve round the eatwell plate model which as we know is not much use for BG control.
Thankfully Trudi Deakin has brought about change in the Xpert course and LC/HF is now an option, that she follows the diet herself is encouraging to say the least.
