Abstract
Objective
Whereas many people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes are detected through screening in a Japanese healthcare setting, they do not necessarily seek primary care for diagnosis and treatment in the early stages of the disease. This study aimed to identify the most effective health communication method for the diabetes screening report to encourage primary care consultation.
Methods
This facility-based cohort study involved 1,128 Japanese participants identified from the routine diabetes screening database from 2003 to 2009 who were considered to be at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the relative effectiveness of the health communication method—a letter or an interview—regarding the likelihood of seeking primary care. The study controlled for sex, age, family history of diabetes, perceived symptoms, recommendation for diabetes care, undergoing treatment for other diseases, detection of comorbidity, request for referral to a specialist, and counseling by a public health nurse or dietician after screening.
Results
The proportion of participants who sought primary care after screening was 7 %. Those who received feedback on diabetes screening via physician interview were more likely to seek primary care consultation (odds ratio 2.6, 95 % confidence interval 1.2–5.6).
Conclusion
Health communication in the form of an interview with a physician after diabetes screening may encourage people at high risk of type 2 diabetes to seek primary care, yet very few seek primary care in the early stage of the disease. Therefore, more effective communication methods are needed.
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Acknowledgments
We are grateful to Dr. Katsuya Yamazaki of Kawai Clinic for his comments on an earlier draft.
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Ueki, R., Ichikawa, M., Hiranuma, Y. et al. Health communication method and primary care seeking after screening for early type 2 diabetes in a Japanese healthcare setting. Diabetol Int 5, 122–128 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13340-013-0143-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13340-013-0143-x