Management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care

Background: The incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is increasing globally. The majority of people have type 2 diabetes, initially managed by lifestyle changes and the gradual introduction of oral, followed by subcutaneous, medications. Due to the increasing numbers of people with type 2 diabetes, different models of care management have been utilised within the United Kingdom. One Health Board within Scotland received funding to undertake a service redesign whereby the responsibility of care for people with type 2 diabetes was transferred from secondary care to primary care, with referral to specialist services based on clinical need. Aim: The aim of this thesis is to present the body of published work on an evaluation research study on the change in service delivery for people with type 2 diabetes. The published works have arisen from two funded research studies resulting in one peer reviewed report and five peer-reviewed papers published in international journals