RESUMEN
Enhancing primary care is one of the proposals put forward in the Healthcare Reform Consultation Document "Your Health, Your Life" issued in March 2008. In 2009, the Working Group on Primary Care, chaired by the Secretary for Food and Health, recommended the development of age-group and disease-specific primary care conceptual models and reference frameworks. Drawing on international experience and best evidence, the Task Force on Conceptual Model and Preventive Protocols of the Working Group on Primary Care has developed two reference frameworks for the management of two common chronic diseases in Hong Kong, namely diabetes and hypertension, in primary care settings. Adopting a population approach for the prevention and control of diabetes and hypertension across the life course, the reference frameworks aim to provide evidence-based and appropriate recommendations for the provision of continuing and comprehensive care for patients with chronic diseases in the community.
Asunto(s)
Medicina Basada en la Evidencia/organización & administración , Reforma de la Atención de Salud , Atención Primaria de Salud/organización & administración , Comités Consultivos/organización & administración , Factores de Edad , Diabetes Mellitus/prevención & control , Diabetes Mellitus/terapia , Hong Kong , Humanos , Hipertensión/prevención & control , Hipertensión/terapia , Modelos TeóricosRESUMEN
Diabetes has been evolving as a worldwide epidemic and constitutes one of the important global burdens of diseases. The reference framework for diabetes care has been produced by the Task Force on Conceptual Model and Preventive Protocols of the Working Group on Primary Care, so as to enhance the clinical care for diabetes patients. The guideline emphasises a comprehensive, coordinated approach with interdisciplinary collaboration between major primary care stakeholders throughout the life of the patient. It was developed by drawing on evidence from international literature with input from primary care physicians, as well as specialists including endocrinologists, doctors from public and private sectors, as well as representatives from patient groups. This article presents the latest updates on the management of diabetes, ranging from its epidemiology, patient education, prevention, early identification, complication monitoring, drug treatment, patient empowerment, and rehabilitation. It is anticipated that the adoption of this framework will contribute to better control of this chronic condition in the primary care setting.