Are patients on basal insulin attaining glycemic targets? Characteristics and goal achievement of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with basal insulin and physician-perceived barriers to achieving glycemic targets.

•In this real-world retrospective analysis 27% of insulin treated T2D patients reached HbA1c<7%.•Through survey, physicians identified practice philosophy regarding patients on insulin.•Costs, patient’s lifestyle and adherence were the main barriers to intensification by physicians.•Fear of hypoglycemia and weight changes were considered to be less important by physicians.