Patients with type 2 diabetes prioritize provider engagement and health care outcomes when defining high-quality care, according to results of a patient survey presented during the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Diego, CA.

PatientsLikeMe, an online patient-powered research network, conducted a survey of 296 patients aged 18 years and older who self-reported type 2 diabetes. Survey respondents answered 31 questions covering demographics, treatments for type 2 diabetes, care experiences, attitudes and preferences related to care quality, and cost and impact of cost of care on financial decisions.

Results found nearly 70 percent of respondents reported satisfaction with their current care. The most frequently mentioned indicators of high-quality care were patient-provider interaction, followed closely by adequate information and education. When asked to choose the three best indicators of high-quality care from a list, survey respondents most frequently chose a provider who listens carefully (62 percent); who explains things in a way that is easy to understand (45 percent); and who spends enough time (44 percent). Additionally, more than half of survey respondents (57 percent) said they would like to know a provider's patient outcomes and availability of support services (e.g., tobacco cessation and diet management) (51 percent), before switching to a new a provider.

Out-of-pocket costs related to managing type 2 diabetes were also a pain point identified by patients surveyed. Sixty percent of respondents said they had to make financial changes to pay out-of-pocket expenses, including reducing non-health spending, increasing credit card debt and using less medication than prescribed. Less than half of respondents who said they had to make financial changes (42 percent) said they discussed cost issues with their care team.

"Respondents value providers who help them longitudinally understand and manage their type 2 diabetes," note the study authors made up of representatives from the ACC, PatientsLikeMe and AstraZeneca.

Keywords: Attitude, Demography, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Diet, Health Expenditures, Pain, Personal Satisfaction, Quality of Health Care, Research, Self Report, Surveys and Questionnaires, Tobacco Use Cessation, Diabetes Collaborative Registry, Metabolic Syndrome

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