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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Population characteristics
Total population: 2884
SOUTH
EAST
WEST

6. Population characteristics
Total population: 2884

7. Mean number of years since graduation
CME characteristics
Total population: 2884
Mean number of years since graduation
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs

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

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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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