Treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 in family practice

: In the care of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a combined approach is required to address the risk factors for micro- and macrovascular complications. In the Netherlands, type 2 diabetes care is mainly provided by the general practitioner (GP). GP care is often not provided in accordance with the guidelines, and the strict targets for glycaemic, blood pressure and lipid control are often not achieved. Therefore, the GP should be supported in the provision of diabetes care. GP support in providing diabetes care can range from the organisation of care within the individual GP practice, through to support from an organisation within primary care or to 'shared care' with a hospital in secondary care. There is still scarce scientific evidence for the effectiveness of models for the organisation of diabetes care in primary care in the Netherlands. Scientific research into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness is necessary before models for the organisation of diabetes care in primary care can be widely implemented and structurally financed.