Physician related barriers towards insulin therapy at primary care centres in Trinidad: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Physician related factors with respect to insulin therapy can contribute to diabetes mellitus (DM) mismanagement. Patient related factors have been previously explored in a Trinidad survey. The main objective of this study was to explore primary care physicians' (PCPs) related barriers towards insulin therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on a convenience sample of PCPs in the public primary care system was done using an online survey. RESULTS: Of the 170 PCPs contacted, 75 (44%) responded. There were 47 females (62.7%) and 28 males (37.3%) with a mean age of 35.9 yrs. Nearly 40% of physicians admitted that the education given to patients was inadequate to allow initiation of insulin therapy. Half the respondents admitted to insufficient consultation times and inadequate appointment frequency to allow for intensification of insulin therapy. Forty percent of PCPs admitted that HbA1c results were unavailable to guide their management decisions. Only 6.7% of physicians said they had access to rapid acting insulin, while 5.3% said they had access to insulin pens. CONCLUSION: PCPs in Trinidad treating diabetes at the public primary care clinics face several barriers in administering proper insulin therapy. Addressing these factors can improve glycemic control in this population.

Insulin therapy attitudes and beliefs of physicians in Middle Eastern Arab countries.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing attitudes and beliefs of physicians regarding insulin therapy in Arab countries are scant despite the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). OBJECTIVE: This study examines family physicians' attitudes and beliefs towards insulin therapy in T2DM patients in the East Mediterranean Region of the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 348 family physicians invited via email to fill an anonymous online questionnaire about their attitudes, beliefs and perceived barriers regarding insulin initiation in T2DM patients. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two physicians completed the questionnaire. Of the 122 physicians, 73.6% preferred to delay insulin initiation until it is absolutely essential and 59.0% initiated it themselves. The majority agreed that T2DM patients benefit from insulin prior to the development of complications (85.7%) and that patient education is important (99.1%) and uncomplicated (74.7%). Sixty-three per cent expressed reluctance to start insulin mostly because of perceived patients' reluctance. Referral to endocrinologists to initiate insulin therapy was associated with inadequate experience and concern about risks, particularly in elderly patients (backward logistic regression, P < 0.05). Physicians' reluctance to initiate insulin therapy was associated with patients' perception of insulin initiation as a personal failure and threat to the quality of life (backward logistic regression, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although family physicians in the Arab world believe in the benefits of insulin therapy, many are reluctant to initiate it themselves. Further studies are needed per country, as well as multiple measures to minimize the physicians' barriers to insulin prescription.

Barriers to insulin initiation in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brazil.

AIMS: We aimed to explore insulin initiation barriers in the Brazilian Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) elderly population, according to the physician's perspective, and suggest strategies to overcome them. METHODS: A 45-questions survey addressing issues as clinical characteristics, barriers to insulinization, and treatment strategies in elderly patients with T2DM, was sent to six endocrinologists from different Brazilian locations. Thereafter, all the respondents participated in a panel discussion to validate their responses and collect additional relevant data. RESULTS: Endocrinologists had at least 15 years of experience, with a mean of 63 elderly patients per month. Nearly 25% of the elderly patients were treated in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS, Unified Health System); only a quarter presented proper glycemic control. In contrast, 55% of the patients from private healthcare system presented adequate glycemic control. The main barriers for insulin initiation for patients, according to physicians' perspective, are side effects and negative perception over treatment (100%). For endocrinologists, main barriers were lack of time to guide patients and concern over side effects (83%). Therefore, specialists considered education for both healthcare professionals and patients as one of the most important strategies to circumvent the current scenario related insulin therapy among elderly patients in the country. CONCLUSION: Insulin therapy remains underused due to several barriers, such as concern over side effects and negative perception. Educational measures for patients and HCPs could improve the current scenario.

Increasing Patient Acceptance and Adherence Toward Insulin.

Because of the progressive nature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the majority of patients will need insulin to achieve and maintain glycemic control. By maintaining glycemic control, patients will avoid acute osmotic symptoms of hyperglycemia, instability in plasma glucose (PG) over time, and prevent or delay the development of diabetes complications without adversely affecting quality of life. Despite recommendations for initiating insulin therapy, both patient and health system barriers stand in the way. To develop confidence in individualizing patient therapy and maximize outcomes for patients with T2DM, healthcare practitioners (HCPs) were updated on recommendations and clinical evidence supporting when to initiate insulin therapy, strategies for overcoming provider and patient barriers for initiating insulin therapy, and the safety and efficacy of current and emerging insulin therapy and delivery technology for patients with T2DM.