In Australia approximately 940,000 adults over 25 years (7.5%) have diabetes and about half of these do not know they have it (Ausdiab 2001).   In the Illawarra an estimated 13,571 (8.2%) of adults over 25 years have diabetes (Centre for General Practice Integration Studies, UNSW).   Furthermore, there is a growing awareness of "pre-diabetes" conditions, namely impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, which affect 16.3% of adults over 25 years (Ausdiab 2001).

General Practice has an important role to play in the prevention and management of diabetes as almost 90% of the Australian population see a GP per year (RACGP, 2008).  

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Medicare Local supports GPs and practice teams to address lifestyle risk factor management by providing support with strategies to identify and manage patients at risk, continuing professional development, and resources such as Lifescripts kits which target the SNAP risk factors (Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical inactivity and weight management). 

The CAST project, completed in 2005 and conducted in partnership with the University of Wollongong and Xyris Software, trialled computer assisted dietary assessment as an adjunct to the General Practice consultation.

GP and patient education

Continuing professional development activities are provided for GPs to promote best practice in diabetes management as part of the ISML education program. 

The RACGP offers a module titled Putting Prevention Into Practice which can be undertaken as an individual learning activity. 

Resources

The Diabetes Information Booklet and Service Directory  available by contacting the Practice Support Team.

Diabetes Australia 26 Arundel Street Glebe, NSW 2037 Ph 02 9552 9981

Diabetes Management In General Practice can be downloaded from www.racgp.org.au/publications/guidelines. Printed copies may be available from the RACGP (03)86990508 or (03) 86990495. 

National Evidence Based Guidelines for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (NHMRC)

Illawarra Diabetes Service, Level 2, 304 Crown St Wollongong 2500 Ph: 4229 4700

Click here for tools to assess a patients risk of diabetes and for management options for patients both at risk and with existing type 2 diabetes.

Useful links

• Diabetes Australia
• American Diabetes Association
• Heart Foundation
• Exercise and Sports Science Australia
• Glycemic Index
• NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service
• Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
• Kidney Foundation
• Australian Podiatry Assn S.A. Inc.
• Australian Department of Health and Aged Care