Older People with Type 2 diabetes - Individualising Management wIth a SpecialisEd community team: Safety and feasibility study

The primary aim is to trial the safety and feasibility of a new model of diabetes care, aimed to optimise diabetes management and improve quality of life in the home using a specialised OPTIMISE: Older People with Type 2 diabetes Individualising Management wIth SpecialisEd community team. Results: 43 community-living adults were recruited between March 2017 and November 2018. Age range at enrolment was 65 to 92 years (mean 74 (SD 7) years). The mean (SD) duration of diabetes was 15 (9) years and the mean (SD) HbA1c at baseline was 7.4% (1.2%). More than half the participants had established macrovascular complications. Quality of life at baseline was low and diabetes negatively impacted on participants’ lives. There were no deaths nor serious adverse events causally related to the OPTIMISES program. None of the participants spent greater than 30% of time in severe hyperglycemic levels, however, 4 of 43 participants experienced significant hypoglycaemia. In total, 37 of 43 participants (86%) met all prespecified safety and feasibility criteria. Overall, the OPTIMISES program was considered both safe and feasible, and suitable for larger trials. The program was perceived positively by participants, outlined through five key themes: 1. Person Centred Attributes; 2. Interprofessional Team; 3. Organisational Supports; 4. The role of Technology; 5. Multi-faceted aspect of the program worked well.