An Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Acceptability of Delivering Structured Care in Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Patients

In this demonstration project (JADE in Jiangsu \& Anhui Program, JADE-JA in short) led by key opinion leaders in the field of diabetes and endocrinology in Jiangsu and Anhui area and supported by the ADF, shall recruit 4800 type 2 diabetic patients attending medical out-patient clinics in the area to compare the effects of usual versus structured care (non-JADE vs JADE) on metabolic control, quality of life and behavioral changes. After explanation by trained doctors and nurses and with written informed consent, patients will be randomized to either the JADE or non-JADE group. The former encompasses all components of the structured care delivered by a trio-team of doctor, nurse and Healthcare Assistant (HCA) while the non-JADE group only consists of comprehensive assessments (CA) at baseline and 12-month with patients managed in the usual manner thereafter. At the end of 12 months, all patients will undergo repeat comprehensive assessments for comparison of rates of attainment of treatment targets, behavioral changes, quality of life and default rates. The acceptability of the JADE-JA Program by patients and the trio-team will also be evaluated. The investigators hypothesize that the use of state of the art information technology to record, manage and analyze the large amount of clinical information generated during various consultation visits will improve the effectiveness and efficiency in implementing these care protocols through decision support and regular feedback to both patients and care team.