Who uses a diabetes “drop‐in” centre

Abstract

This study aimed to document patients' reasons for attendance at a “drop‐in” centre serving a general diabetic clinic (n = 756). Over six months the following data were documented: reasons for attendance (self‐initiated or referred and source or referrals); length of consultation; age and sex of clients; whether NIDDM or IDDM; and treatment modes. All 133 minor consultations (30 min) comprising 59 NIDDM (of whom 47 were insulin‐treated) and 12 IDDM, 48 were self‐initiated. The main reasons for major consultations were: 20 presented with persisting hyperglycaemia > 17 mmol/l (17 required insulin adjustment); eight had unfavourable social circumstances affecting diabetes management and require..