A new study from Western Sydney University has found that a simple idea—just a short discussion between two doctors—can lead to big improvements for people with type 2 diabetes.
The research looked at a special model of care where an endocrinologist (a diabetes specialist) meets with a general practitioner (GP) to talk about a patient’s treatment plan. The key difference? The patient doesn’t need to be there.
This approach is called “patient-free diabetes case conferencing.” With the patient’s consent, the endocrinologist visits the GP’s clinic and, along with a nurse or diabetes educator, works through the patient’s case in detail.
Together, they come up with a plan to manage the person’s blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and other health risks. The goal is to give the GP specialist-level support without needing the patient to visit a hospital clinic.
The study involved over 600 patients across 40 GP clinics in southwestern Sydney. After three years, the results were clear: patients’ blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and weight all improved. Back in 2017, only one in five patients had their blood sugar in the target range.
By 2020, that number had jumped to more than one in three. Similarly, only 47% of patients had healthy blood pressure at the beginning, but that rose to over 75% after the program.
This model turned out to be helpful for everyone involved. Patients benefited from expert advice without needing extra appointments. GPs learned new skills and could continue managing their patients confidently. And the health system saw less pressure on hospitals, with fewer people needing specialist appointments or hospital care for diabetes complications.
According to Professor David Simmons, who led the study, this approach could be a game-changer, especially for people with complex diabetes who struggle to get the care they need. It’s a practical, low-cost way to improve diabetes management across the healthcare system.
If you or someone you care about is living with type 2 diabetes, it might be worth asking your GP if they offer or can access patient-free case conferencing. It could lead to better care and fewer complications over time.
Managing type 2 diabetes involves a range of healthy habits and ongoing support. Some of the most important strategies include checking your blood sugar regularly, eating a balanced diet full of vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, and staying physically active—ideally 30 minutes most days of the week.
Taking medications as prescribed, managing stress with relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, and keeping up with regular check-ups are all key to long-term success.
Research continues to show that small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. For example, drinking coffee or green tea might help people with diabetes live longer, and a keto diet may help control blood sugar and weight. Blueberries have also been found to benefit people with metabolic syndrome—a condition closely linked to type 2 diabetes.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all plan, working closely with your healthcare team and trying different strategies can help you find what works best for you. And thanks to studies like this one, we now know that even short conversations between doctors can lead to better health outcomes for people living with diabetes.
If you care about blood sugar, please read studies about why blood sugar is high in the morning, and how to cook sweet potatoes without increasing blood sugar.
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