Helping your patients prevent type 2 diabetes
Case finding eligible patients
One way you can help your patients prevent type 2 diabetes is to identify those at high risk through your medical software. Send these patients a letter and a risk test, and encourage those with a score of 9 or more to make an appointment to come in and discuss their risk of diabetes and eligibility for a Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course.
If you are using the PEN Clinical Audit Tool, download the search directions to help you identify patients at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Funding is available to assist practices to identify and refer patients at risk of type 2 diabetes. Information is available here. If you are interested in applying for the funding, please complete the agreement and return to DA-Vic.
A template letter to send to patients at risk of diabetes has been developed. Download the version on Life! letterhead, or a plain version to be copied and pasted onto practice letterhead.
For further information on case finding, please contact us.
ASK
Identify people at risk of diabetes in your practice:
Waiting room Life! poster, Diabetes Risk Tests and Life! Brochures.
Patient questionnaires.
Search patient database for those who have risk factors, including:
- Pre-diabetes
- Impaired fasting glucose
- Impaired glucose tolerance
- Family history of diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Overweight or obesity
Reception staff can hand AUSDRISK test to patients 40 years and above.
During consultation, encourage patients to complete the AUSDRISK test.
ASSESS
Assess patients’ risk of diabetes
Send a letter and AUSDRISK test to all patients at risk of diabetes, identified through patient database search.
Verify the patient’s AUSDRISK test score.
Did the patient score nine or above?
YES – Organise appropriate tests to exclude type 2 diabetes. Diabetes should be excluded by a fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and, if necessary an oral glucose tolerance test (OGT).
NO – Affirm positive lifestyle behaviours.
ADVISE
Patient has diabetes.
Refer to early intervention program.
Register for the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS).
Patient does not have diabetes.
Provide tailored advice.
Tell the patient that they at risk of diabetes.
Provide information on type 2 diabetes prevention.
Give patient a copy of the brochure ‘Type 2 diabetes is preventable’.
Is your patient 40 or above, or an adult Aboriginal or Torres Straight Island person?
ASSIST
Refer your patient to Life!
To assist your patient to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, refer them to
a Life! course on fax line 9667 1757.
ARRANGE
Arrange follow up
Follow up patient in twelve months as per best practice guidelines.
Diabetes should be excluded by a fasting blood glucose (FBG) test and, if necessary an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
You can download a pdf of this information.