DIFFERENCES IN PREFERENCES BETWEEN DIABETIC-PATIENTS AND DIABETOLOGISTS REGARDING QUALITY OF CARE - A MATTER OF CONTINUITY AND EFFICIENCY OF CARE

Diabetologists and diabetic patients were asked about their preference s for aspects of care which are considered of importance in relation t o the quality of care. A questionnaire was constructed using the metho d of pairwise comparison in which respondents constantly had to chose between three statements in order to get a priority list. Adults with diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2) attending outpatient departments wer e asked to fill in the questionnaire. A response rate of 97% was recor ded (n = 94). Diabetologists received a postal questionnaire and the r esponse rate was 65% (n = 126). There was a reasonable agreement betwe en both populations and 'effectiveness of care' was ranked the highest . However, the patients gave a significant higher ranking to 'continui ty of care' and a lower ranking to 'efficiency'. Neither the age and s ex of the patients nor the duration of the disease had any influence o n their opinions. Patients who were treated with oral medication ranke d 'information' higher than patients using insulin, but the difference was not significant. A lower level of education and having public-hea lth insurance were associated with a higher preference for 'continuity '. No differences were found regarding age and sex within the diabetol ogist population.