In Australia, diabetes is considered as a national health priority. The Australian government enacted laws that provided a framework on how diabetes can be managed. This is the Australian National Diabetes Strategy of 2016-2020. It acknowledged the risk factors alongside with the continuous increase of type 2 diabetes cases. Considering such matters, it projected that the cases may increase from 870,000 in 2014 to 2.5 million. Vulnerable sectors including poorer Australians are at a greater risk.
Type 2 diabetes can lead to other health problems such as blindness, stroke, kidney failure, limb amputations, and coronary artery disease. This necessitates immediate identification and treatment. In this aspect, general practice plays a crucial role in managing it. Guidelines are provided in the proposal, supplemented with important evidence-based information in order to support general practitioners in their pursuit of dealing with the disease.
The development of General practice management of type 2 diabetes (2016-2018) edition, RACGP highlighted the different facets relevant to the existing clinical practice in Australia. This approach supported the assessment for general practice in response to diabetes 2.
RACGP carefully outlined and produced the publication in accordance with their specific guidelines. Close coordination between RACGP and Diabetes Australia is the main reason for the publication. Together with other sectors such as the Medical Education and Scientific Committee of Diabetes Australia as well as the Expert Committee of RACGP, it is the hope of the institution to promote a holistic attempt to present the guidelines.
