Integrated patient-centred care for type 2 diabetes in Singapore Primary Care Networks: a mixed-methods study

Patients with type 2 diabetes require patient-centred care as guided by the Chronic Care Model (CCM). Many diabetes patients in Singapore are managed by the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) which organised healthcare professionals (HCPs) comprising general practitioners, nurses and care coordinators into teams to provide diabetes care. Little is known about how the PCNs deliver care to people with type 2 diabetes. This study evaluated the consistency of diabetes care delivery in the PCNs with the CCM.

This was a mixed-method study. The Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (ACIC version 3.5) survey was self-administered by the HCPs in the quantitative study (ACIC scores range 0-11, the latter indicating care delivery most consistent with CCM). Descriptive statistics were obtained, and linear mixed-effects regression model was used to test for association between independent variables and ACIC total scores. The qualitative study comprised semi-structured focus group discussions and used thematic analysis.

The study was conducted on virtual platforms involving the PCNs.

179 HCPs for quantitative study and 65 HCPs for qualitative study.

Integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative results found that there was support for diabetes care consistent with the CCM in the PCNs. The mean ACIC total score was 5.62 (SD 1.93). The mean element scores ranged from 6.69 (SD 2.18) (Health System Organisation) to 4.91 (SD 2.37) (Community Linkages). The qualitative themes described how the PCNs provided much needed diabetes services, their characteristics such as continuity of care, patient-centred care; collaborating with community partners, financial aspects of care, enablers for and challenges in performing care, and areas for enhancement.

This mixed-methods study informs that diabetes care delivery in the Singapore PCNs is consistent with the CCM. Future research should consider using independent observers in the quantitative study and collecting objective data such as patient outcomes.