What is happening to our diabetic patients? An audit of care in general practice

Forty‐two diabetic patients from a group practice were studied. Information relevant to their diabetes was extracted from the medical records, a questionnaire interview was conducted and glycosylated haemoglobin measured. Diabetics were frequent attenders at the surgery but their follow‐up was haphazard and incomplete. Although patients had a generally poor understanding of diabetes, they were keen to learn more. Regular follow‐up by general practitioner would be preferred to hospital care, by three out of four patients. To provide this care, we need to combine a systematic approach with the long‐term encouragement of the diabetic person to play an active part in his own management.