Quality assessment of care provided to patients with type 2 diabetes based on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Introduction: Diabetes is one of the usual medical problems that had an important negative effect on patient’s health. Researches demonstrate that there is a wide gap between recommended medical actions and received care by patients with diabetes. The aim of study was to assess the quality of care provided to patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 people with type 2 diabetes in diabetic’s clinics using convenience sampling method in Tabriz, Iran in 2011. Using a questionnaire we assessed the reported adherence to minimum recommended annual care for 23 processes indicators based on Iranian Diabetes Guidelines. Results: The proportions of the participants who received recommended annual care for all three top clinical and all six top lifestyle indicators were 82.26% and 43.96%, respectively. For lifestyle and management indicators, reported adherence rates to guidelines were low (38.9% for medication review, 67.7% for self-management evaluation, 55% for physical activity review, and 58.3% for nutrition consultation). From the participants' perspective, most of the participants (87%) had well-controlled diabetes. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of people with type 2 diabetes indicated receiving suboptimal care and there is a notable gap between their expectations and what they have actually received in most aspects of the provided care.