Abstract
International guidelines recommend systematic evaluation of well-being (Quality of Life) in people with diabetes, next to metabolic indices, as integral part of clinical routine. This international project aims to implement and evaluate monitoring of well-being in diabetes patients, as part of routine diabetes care in high quality diabetes centres across countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Argentina. The procedure aims to enhance recognition and discussion of psychosocial issues in diabetes with anticipated favourable effects on well-being, patient satisfaction and diabetes control. The proposed monitoring procedure has shown to be feasible in clinical practice as part of the annual review by the diabetes nurse specialist, positively impacting both the process of care and clinical outcomes. The assessment is computer-based with automated scoring, using validated self-report measures tapping into mood and diabetes-specific distress.
The centres will monitor well-being in their outpatients twice (at 0 and 12 months) as part of the annual review and respond to the outcomes as appropriate. This may include consultations with the diabetes nurse specialist or other members of the health care team, and referral to a mental health specialist to address psychological issues complicating diabetes self-management.
Data on process and clinical outcomes will be analysed across centres, to enhance our understanding of the psychological status of the patients monitored, the degree to which mental health demands are being met and the relationship with diabetes-related outcomes. Based on previous research and clinical experience it is anticipated that this project will show positive results and thereby help to further improve the quality of psychosocial care in diabetes.
