Down referral and assessing comprehensive diabetes care in primary care settings: An operational research from India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In this study, we aimed to refer eligible (patients with stable blood sugar and without any history of cardiovascular events or proliferative retinopathy) and willing persons with diabetes (PwDs) to primary healthcare centers (PHCs) from tertiary care and to compare the care indicators. METHODS: This before-after interventional study was conducted among PwDs aged ≥18 years at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Care indicators (regularity to the clinic, waiting time, and blood sugar control status) were assessed before down referral and after three months of follow-ups at PHCs. RESULTS: Of 204 PwDs referred to PHCs. Among them, 88% (n = 180) registered at PHCs for care and 46% (n = 94, 95% CI 39.1-53.2%) were lost to follow-ups at PHCs. The main reason for loss to follow-ups was the unavailability of medicines at PHCs(n = 41, 44%). Among those who were on regular follow-ups at PHCs, there was no significant difference in fasting blood glucose (FBG) control status compared to tertiary (52%-64.6%, p = 0.083). However, there was a significant improvement in the regularity of clinic visits (75% vs. 100%, p < 0.001), consultation waiting time (90 vs. 60 min, p = 0.028), and waiting time at pharmacy queues (120 vs. 30 min, p < 0.001) between tertiary care and PHCs. However, among those registered at PHCs, only 40.6% (n = 73, 95% CI 33.3-48.1) were willing to continue care at PHCs for their diabetes management. CONCLUSION: Primary care was better than tertiary care in terms of PwD's regularity of clinic visits and waiting time for care.

Decentralizing diabetes care from tertiary to primary care: how many persons with diabetes can be down-referred to primary care settings?

BACKGROUND: In a cohort of persons with diabetes (PWDs) seeking care at a tertiary care center, we aimed to determine the proportion of PWDs eligible and willing for down referral to primary health centers (PHCs). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study among PWDs on treatment for at least 1 year. PWDs with stable blood sugar, no history of cardiovascular events and proliferative retinopathy were considered as 'eligible' for primary care management. RESULTS: Of the total 1002 PWDs, mean (SD) age was 56 (12) years; 62% were male and 81% were from rural areas. About half (49%) of them were on insulin, and 52% had comorbidities. In total, 45.6% (95% CI: 42.3-48.8%) were eligible to be managed at PHCs. Among those who were eligible, 46.6% were willing to go back to PHCs. Males (APR = 1.16), people with diabetes for more than 10 years (APR = 1.23), and the presence of comorbidities (APR = 1.13) were significantly associated with unwillingness. Quality of medicines (46%) and poor facilities (40%) at PHCs were the main reasons for unwillingness. CONCLUSIONS: About half of the PWDs availing care at tertiary hospitals can be managed at primary care settings; of those, only half were willing to receive care at PHCs.