Introduction: This paper discusses the optimal distribution of responsibility between general practitioners (GPs) and hospitals for follow-up of patients with chronic diseases. We investigated a set of risk stratification criteria developed to optimize specialist shared care for patients with diabetes mellitus.
Material and methods: We included patients with diabetes from the catchment areas of four diabetes out-patient clinics in southern Denmark. Patients were risk-stratified to 3 follow-up levels (level 1 - follow-up only by their GP, level 2 - intensified follow-up by GP and/or shared care schemes, level 3 - follow-up only in out-patient clinics). The results were subsequently compared with the patients' actual follow-up status.
Results: A total of 647 patients (563 type 2 diabetes and 84 type 1 diabetes) were included from 15 GPs. Among these, 139 were stratified to level 1, 409 to level 2 and 99 to level 3. A total of 444 patients were actually being followed by their GP, 129 in shared care and 74 in out-patient clinics. The frequency of out-patient and shared care control varied from 13% to 39% between the four centres.
Conclusion: Patients generally had a higher risk profile than anticipated. The model could select high-risk patients to be followed in specialized out-patient clinics. The model was less suitable for patients with low or moderate risk, and it should be modified before its general introduction.