GP-OSMOTIC and Glyc-ASSIST: Innovative tools and monitoring devices looking to reshape the management of Type 2 Diabetes

Designing and implementing new technologies to assist clinical decision making and lifestyle modifications for GPs working with patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The management of Type 2 Diabetes in General Practice is becoming increasingly complex, with a greater need for more advanced monitoring systems and streamlined decision making tools.

The Diabetes and Cardio-metabolic (DCM) team are investigating the role of retrospective Continuous Glucose Monitoring in the management of Type 2 Diabetes; a chronic condition that is a current endemic amongst the Australian population. The GP-OSMOTIC study, with NHMRC funding, hopes to see an improvement in glycaemic variability and overall reduction in HbA1c with the use of this innovative technology in primary care. The GP and patient are able to view 2 weeks worth of glucose data upon which the GP is then able to tailor a more personalised medication treatment plan and initiate discussions around lifestyle modifications. The team are currently finalising data collection on the 300 participants across 25 GP clinics state-wide, and are looking forward to publishing results early next year. This important new technology has the potential to alter the way T2DM is managed with improved outcomes for patients, thereby acclaiming interest internationally.

The DCM team, working together with Professor Dougie Boyle and Sean Lo of HaBiC is also leading work on the Glyc-ASSIST study funded by Royal Australian College of GPs, Diabetes VIC and Networked Society Institute. The Glyc-ASSIST team have designed a clinical decision support tool that aims to minimise the complexity of diabetes management by firstly guiding the choice of suitable HbA1c targets and then suggesting appropriate medications. The design process was informed by focus groups comprised of GPs, endocrinologists, diabetes educators and people with T2DM who saw the need for a computer decision support tool that is integrated with the electronic medical record. The team are about to commence a computer simulation study with GPs exploring the usability, acceptability and feasibility of Glyc-ASSIST in pretend clinical consultations.  Following that, input from people living with T2DM will be sought to evaluate the acceptability of Glyc-ASSIST in practice. Glyc-ASSIST will operate on the clinicians’ desktop and has the optimal goals of making the management of T2DM easier in an increasingly complex and ever-changing environment of treatment options.