Long-term glycemic control by a diabetes case-management program and the challenges of diabetes care in Taiwan.

AIMS:This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects on glycemic control of a diabetes care program focusing on case management and to discuss challenges in the quality of diabetes care in Taiwan. METHODS:We randomized 1,060 study subjects recruited from the Diabetes Management through an Integrated Delivery System project in 2003-2005 into intervention (n = 789 from 27 clinics) and control (n = 271 from 7 clinics) groups. The quarterly self-care and nutrition-education program in the intervention group was delivered by case managers, and standard care was provided to the control group. The intervention program was conducted during 2003-2007. A multivariate mixed model analysis was used to assess the 3.5-year intervention effects on glycemic control. RESULTS:Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level in the intervention group (especially for those with a baseline HbA1c level of 7-9% and >9%) was significantly lower than that in the control group 6 months after recruitment and remained lower through the subsequent three intervention years. CONCLUSIONS:The current findings provide evidence that case management provided in the pay-for-performance (P4P) diabetes care program in Taiwan was effective at improving glycemic control for at least 3 years. However, previous research indicated poverty is associated with not only higher diabetes incidence but also inequality of diabetes care in Taiwan despite universal health coverage. Those with a more severe condition were less likely to be enrolled in the P4P diabetes care program. Additional cost-effectiveness studies and more health policy reforms are needed to optimize diabetes care in Taiwan.