The Diabetes Care Project: an Australian multicentre, cluster randomised controlled trial [study protocol].

Area of Science:

• Primary care research
• Public health
• Clinical trial methodology

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health concern with significant disease burden.
• Australia faces challenges in effectively managing the increasing population of individuals with diabetes.
• Current care models may require significant funding and organizational changes for optimal diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of two evidence-based diabetes care models compared to usual care.
• To assess effects on clinical quality, patient and provider experience, and cost-effectiveness.
• To determine the extent of change needed for improved diabetes care in Australia.

Main Methods:

• Pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial involving accredited general practices across Australia.
• Three arms: usual care, intervention with online chronic disease management, and intervention with enhanced funding and care facilitation.
• Inclusion of adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus, with outcomes including HbA1c, clinical metrics, complications, quality of life, and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• (Study ongoing, results not yet available)

Conclusions:

• The Diabetes Care Project (DCP) aims to provide robust evidence on coordinated diabetes care in Australian primary care.
• Findings will guide improvements in diabetes management and potentially influence chronic disease care internationally.
• The study addresses the need for evidence on the clinical and economic effectiveness of different care delivery models.