A recent ADEA member survey showed 70% of respondents had noticed a reduction in HbA1c testing for their clients following the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was attributed to (in order of ranking):
- Difficulty getting an appointment with a GP: 62% ranked this number 1 (most likely) out of 4 (least likely) and 29% ranked it number 2.
- Costs of the GP appointment and the pathology test: 22% ranked this number 1 out of 4 and 45% ranked it number 2.
- People living with diabetes relying on their glucose management indicator from their CGM data (which is not a reliable indicator of HbA1c): 12% ranked this number 1 out of 4 and 7% ranked it number 2. Note: relates to people using CGM.
- Aversion to sitting in a pathology testing clinic: 4% ranked this number 1 out of 4 and 18% ranked it number 2.
Respondents' estimations about the average percentage of their clients not having regular tests varied widely.
Of the respondents who noticed a reduction in testing among their clients, 82% said yes to whether they believed this reduction was linked to an increase in poorer diabetes outcomes.
The remaining 18% of those respondents said no.
The survey, which was open for one week and had more than 100 respondents, sought members' perceptions about whether their clients were less engaged overall with their diabetes care.
The respondents were from all states and territories except the NT.
They were from metropolitan (54%), rural/regional (44%) and remote (2%) areas and employed in the public/hospital system, community health, and private practice.
The survey forms part of advocacy by ADEA and its unified partner, the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS), to improve care and services for people living with diabetes.
ADEA thanks members for their valuable feedback, which will help the organisation respond to government policies and advocate for optimal care.
For detailed results of the survey, please email [email protected].