Recent research has shown that no matter where our patients reside in WA, whether it be rural, remote or metropolitan based, the ongoing management of diabetes (reflected by blood glucose control and rate of severe hypoglycaemia events) is the same.
Even though the size of WA is roughly equivalent to the size of continental Europe, the diabetes team at Princess Margaret Hospital provide care not only to local patients, but to those living in rural and remote areas. This is achievable through a unique outreach model which sees staff travelling up to 90 minutes via plane to 10 rural sites, four times a year.
No significant difference was found in the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), or severe hypoglycaemia rates, in patients attending metropolitan and regional clinics.
This is a good indication that the current model of care for all patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the state of WA, no matter their location, is working well.
A full copy of the study outcomes will be published later in 2016. Visit our publication page for updates.