MGSD Studies Educational study: C. Savona-Ventura (Malta)

MGSD-Education Study Group Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of T2DM care in the Mediterranean region MGSD-Education Study Group Prof. Charles Savona-Ventura [Lead Investigator] Prof. Mohamed Khattab Prof. Nebojsa Lalic Prof. Stavros Liatis Prof. Filipe Raposi Prof. Pedro Conthe

Introduction Background: The views and perceptions of healthcare professions towards T2DM care can have an influence of patient outcomes. Awareness of these views/perceptions is an essential pre-requisite prior to undertaking any educational programme. Objective of study To assess the views and perceptions of primary and hospital-based healthcare professionals, and members of professional bodies and their trainees in the Mediterranean region towards T2DM care as this relates to: Practice organization Clinical issues relating to diagnosis and complications Attitudes to diabetes, obesity and weight control Use of clinical guidelines including recommended targets of control To further assess: The level of knowledge of healthcare professionals Their perception towards the disease, and The degree of adherence to published guidelines To provide an educational baseline picture which would allow dedicated educational programmes to be designed for the region.

Methodology Self-administered questionnaire filled in: Using internet facilities through the MGSD website Using hard copy questionnaire distribution during relevant professional meetings Professional bodies in the various countries in the Mediterranean region were invited to circulate a notice to their members asking them to participate in the study. Target populations : primary health care physicians, diabetologists, endocrinologists & internists, both in public and private sectors, national societies. Data from web-based and paper responses collated in an excel file. Descriptive statistics.

Population characteristics Total population: 2884 SOUTH EAST WEST

Population characteristics Total population: 2884

Mean number of years since graduation CME characteristics Total population: 2884 Mean number of years since graduation 18.7+11.1 yrs 18.9+11.1 yrs 19.4+10.7 yrs 19.0+11.3 yrs

Practice characteristics Total population: 2884 Self Confidence re management Aware of team management facilities Aware of country specific guidelines

Treatment Choice problems Total population: 2884 Second line therapeutic choices after metformin failure Perceived problems to using Insulin Perceived problems to using Insulin

Treatment Choice problems Total population: 2884 Confidence in patient/family capability to manage hypoglycaemia HbA1c targets Hypoglycaemia conceived as a problem influencing choice of management

GDM issues Total population: 2884 Choice of diagnostic criteria Facility availability for pre-conceptional care

GDM issues Total population: 2884 Adoption of insulin analogues in management of GDM Adoption of OHA in management of GDM

Conclusions Total population: 2884 29% not confident about T2DM management 46% report no Team management facilities 21% report no country specific guidelines 2nd line medication to metformin are sulphonylureas & DPP4 inhibitors 53% perceive insulin use as a problem 24% consider hypoglycaemia as a problem sufficient to influence management choices 24% consider the patients & care-supporters as not capable of managing hypoglycaemia Only 21% prefer to keep HbA1c levels below 6.5% 8% accept threshold up to 7.5% 4% even up to 8.0% 28% reported Pre-conceptional care facilities Diagnostic criteria: 22% old WHO criteria; 18% IADPSG; 18% ADA 23% ready to use OHA for GDM 60% ready to use Insulin analogues for GDM