Redesigning diabetes care delivery in Serbia, using JA CHRODIS Recommendations and criteria

Introduction. Managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) requires redesigning health care delivery to achieve better coordination of services at all levels of health care. The aim of this study was improving prevention and strengthening high quality of care for NCDs by using type 2 diabetes as a model disease. Methods. The mix method approach served to analyse the impact of the intervention processes. Source of information were routine health statistics, interviews and observation. Key Performance Indicators in defined Improvement Areas assisted in the quality of diabetes care assessment. Results and discussion. During the study the National Diabetes Centre (NDC) was established. The NDC experts organized numerous educational events, 316 physicians and nurses have participated. New electronic data base was implemented in 20 pilot Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) with 38,833 electronic diabetes records. Conclusions. The intervention led to establishment of the NDC, strengthening competences of health care professionals and to the renewal of the Diabetes Care Units in PHCCs included in the study.