Multidisciplinary Collaborative Care for the Management of Patients with Uncontrolled Diabetes
Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus, Multidisciplinary Care, Glycemic Control, Medication Adherence, Quality Of Life.Abstract
Introduction:
Diabetes mellitus remains a significant global health challenge, with a notable proportion of patients struggling to achieve glycemic control. Multidisciplinary collaborative care models have been proposed as a solution to improve outcomes in patients with uncontrolled diabetes. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of such models in enhancing glycemic control, reducing diabetes-related complications, and improving the quality of life for these patients.
Methods:
A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase for interventional studies and clinical trials published in the last five years up to 2022. The search focused on studies that implemented multidisciplinary collaborative care models for adult patients with uncontrolled diabetes. Inclusion criteria encompassed interventional studies reporting on glycemic control, diabetes-related complications, or quality of life outcomes. Studies were excluded if they were observational, focused on pediatric populations, or did not include a clear definition of multidisciplinary care.
Results:
Eleven studies were included in the review, demonstrating a range of interventions from technology-based approaches to the integration of various healthcare professionals into the care team. The review found significant improvements in glycemic control, with a mean reduction in HbA1c levels of 1.2%, and an increased likelihood of achieving glycemic targets (risk ratio 1.5). Medication adherence improved by 20% in interventions utilizing mobile apps, and quality of life scores increased by 15% following multidisciplinary interventions. Additionally, a reduction in diabetes-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits was observed, indicating a decrease in acute complications.
Conclusions:
Multidisciplinary collaborative care models significantly improve glycemic control, medication adherence, and quality of life in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, while also reducing the risk of acute complications. These findings support the broader adoption of such models in diabetes management to address the complex needs of this patient population effectively.
