Korean J Intern Med.  2019 Jan;34(1):125-136. 10.3904/kjim.2016.136.

Analysis of diabetes quality assessment findings and future directions for the appropriate management of diabetes in Korea

• Kim YJ
• Chon S
• Oh S
• Woo JT
• Kim SW
• Rhee SY

• KMID: 2452496
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2016.136

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Due to recent increases in the disease burden of diabetes mellitus, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) of Korea implemented a quality assessment of the treatment of diabetes to improve patient care. The present study was conducted to identify any changes after the implementation of the diabetes quality assessment (DQA).
METHODS
The present study evaluated eight quality assessment indicators that were proposed by the HIRA in all patients with diabetes who visited a university hospital in Korea between 2009 and 2014. The indicators were statistically compared according to the characteristics of the subjects.
RESULTS
There were several significant differences in the indicators among the subjects according to their demographic characteristics. Female patients had a higher continuity of treatment (COT) than that of male patients, and the insulin-treated group had a higher COT than that of the non-treated group, as well as a higher rate of undergoing the diabetes complication tests (DCTs). Patients between 40 and 80 years of age had the highest COT, while patients under 40 years of age had the lowest COT but the highest rate of taking the DCTs. Patients receiving treatment from an endocrinologist exhibited higher numbers of DCTs performed but displayed lower proportions for the prescription indicators.
CONCLUSIONS
The present analysis of the DQA findings revealed that endocrinologists combine prevention and management of diabetes complications with measures for glycemic control. Thus, the effective management of diabetes likely entails systematic joint treatment regimens that involve an endocrinologist.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Quality of health care; Quality improvement; Diabetes complications; Endocrinology

MeSH Terms

Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus
Endocrinology
Female
Humans
Insurance, Health
Joints
Korea*
Male
Patient Care
Prescriptions
Quality Improvement
Quality of Health Care