Identifying people with type 2 diabetes and those at risk: lessons from the measure your waist (MY-WAIST) mixed-methods study in UK primary care

Abstract

Aims: This paper focuses mainly on explanations and lessons from a research-based programme for identifying undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and high risk. In addition to outlining key quantitative findings, we specifically aim to explore reasons for low uptake from the perspective of primary care staff involved.

Methods: The MY-WAIST study was conducted in UK primary care and included the use of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and waist measurement. Qualitative data from interviews with healthcare providers and records of meetings were analysed thematically.

Results: The key quantitative finding was low uptake of the assessments offered (8.6% overall, 2.6% in inner-city locations with high South Asian residency). In addition to confirming patient-reported barriers including those associated with OGTTs, qualitative findings highlighted a number of primary care provider barriers, including limited staff capacity. Interviewees suggested that those who attended were typically the 'worried well' rather than those from hard-to-reach groups.

Conclusions: Implications discussed include the impact of low uptake on the usefulness of the quantitative data obtained, and lessons relevant to research design. Relevance to current guidance regarding early identification strategies is discussed and the importance of addressing the needs of less accessible groups is highlighted.

Keywords: Early detection; Type 2 diabetes; Uptake.