ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ABOUT ROUTINE CARE OF TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE UNITS IN ZAGAZIG DISTRICT, SHARQIA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a major and growing health problem in Egypt. This study aimed to assess
doctors' practice of routine care of type 2 diabetic patients in family medicine centers &units in Zagazig
health district and compare between general practitioners and family physicians regarding to their practice
in dealing with diabetic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 102 doctors (family
physicians &general practitioners) from family health centers &units in Zagazig Health District, Sharqia
Governorate from March 2019 to March 2021. Data was collected through checklist which assesses
doctors' practical performance toward diabetic patients. Data was collected and analyzed as follow, if less
than median of data (inadequate) and if equal or more than median of data (adequate).Calculated for
categories of practice, and totally the relation between practical performance of family physicians and
general practitioners as well as the total clinical performance were presented in suitable tables and graphs.
Results: The majority of doctors are female, aged more than 30 years, married, have family medicine post
graduate degree, more than half of them had period of experience more than 4 years, and most of them
attended family medicine courses. This study showed that 55% of doctors at family health centers & units
in Zagazig district Sharqia governorate had good clinical performance toward type 2 diabetic patients.
Conclusion: The best points of doctors' practice were in friendly welcoming and closing of consultation,
describing how to use the medications, and in emphasizing on blood sugar control.