AACE Diabetes Day for Primary Care Providers

With an aging population and longer life expectancy come an increased prevalence of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes. The percentage of United States adults with diabetes (including both diagnosed and undiagnosed) is at least 8.3% (based on 2010 numbers), far exceeding the capacity of the specialists, the endocrinologists, to manage these patients. For example, each year there are more than 28 million ambulatory care visits with diabetes as primary diagnosis.

The vast majority of patients with type 2 diabetes are managed in the primary care setting. Primary care clinicians need to accept the challenge to more aggressively treat their patients with diabetes. This can help patients reach optimal glycemic goals, reduce the burden of the disease, and improve the patient’s health outcomes and quality of life. As the recognized experts on this metabolic condition, endocrinologists are the content experts and lead authorities in diabetes clinical research and its application to clinical practice. Therefore, they are uniquely qualified to provide continuing education regarding diabetes and its care to primary care physicians.