Most declared diabetes programmes are led by physicians who are general practitioners (GPs). Multidisciplinary participation in some centres

involves nurses (73%) and dietitians (17%); pharmacists supported a team in 23%, but primarily in drug dispensing roles. Eight (28%) centres provided comprehensive foot, eye and cardiovascular evaluations, whereas other programmes referred patients selleck chemicals elsewhere for these services. All hospitals and public clinics, but only seven (24%) private clinics dispense medication directly from on-site pharmacies. Certain diabetes therapy in the country is limited to specialist prescribers at hospitals and is unavailable for patient purchase at community pharmacies. Access to specific novel therapeutic alternatives (e.g. incretin mimetics) Selleck Anticancer Compound Library is restricted by nationality. This survey

illustrates the diversity of diabetes services currently offered in Qatar. The burden of care falls on GPs who largely manage diabetes patients in isolation from other health care professionals. Multidisciplinary team knowledge and skills directed towards preventative strategies are all the more important given the dearth of sub-specialists in the country to address complex patients experiencing associated long-term macro- and microvascular complications. Formal diabetes-focused continuing education and training courses available to primary care physicians would be of benefit and should be considered obligatory

for those responsible for diabetes programmes. The mixed model of private and public health care will influence how any developed national policies directed at standards of diabetes care will be governed, enforced and evaluated. Strengthening the capacity of diabetes care in the public system is paramount as inequitable access to private care contributes to socio-economic health disparity.18 Similarly, national formulary system modifications to ensure timely access to drug therapy should be pursued. Qatar demography is skewed towards youth and, with soaring rates of obesity and diabetes in this group, there is a great need to augment diabetes services for children and adolescents.3,19 A variety of health sites claimed to offer specialised diabetes care in Qatar, but primarily in its one urban centre. Selleck RG7420 Elements of any comprehensive national plan to address diabetes and its complications must incorporate enhanced training support for primary care physicians, expanded multidisciplinary care and services for children and adolescents. “
“Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk of developing diabetes. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines (July 2008) recommend the use of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) but not an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at the six-week postnatal check. Our data analysis aims to challenge this recommendation.