Impact of Advanced Diabetes Centers on the healthcare experience of patients with type 2 diabetes using the IEXPAC tool

Abstract Aims To determine the experience with healthcare among patients with type 2 diabetes according to the assistance model provided in their primary care centers, and to determine factors related with their experience. Methods This was a cross-sectional study performed in patients with type 2 diabetes with cardiovascular or renal complications. The patients were divided in two groups according to whether they had been attended in Advanced Diabetes centers (ADC) or the traditional assistance centers. Patient’s healthcare experience was assessed with the “Instrument for Evaluation of the Experience of Chronic Patients” (IEXPAC) questionnaire, with possible scores ranging from 0 (worst experience) to 10 (best experience). Results A total of 451 patients (215 from ADC and 236 from traditional assistance centers) were included. The mean overall IEXPAC scores were 5.9 ± 1.7 (ADC) and 6.0 ± 1.9 (traditional assistance centers; p = 0.82). In the multivariant analyses, in ADC, the regular follow-up by the same physician (p = 0.01) and follow-up by a nurse (p = 0.01), were associated with a better patient experience, whereas receiving a higher number of medications with a worse patient experience (p = 0.04). In the traditional assistance centers, only the regular follow-up by the same physician was associated with a better experience (p = 0.02). Patients from ADC centers reported a higher score in the quality of life scale (69.1 ± 16.5 vs 64.6 ± 17.5; p = 0.008). Conclusions In general, the healthcare experience of type 2 diabetic patients with their sanitary assistance can be improved. Patients from ADC centers report a higher score in the quality of life scale.