Type 2 diabetes is a problem of epidemic proportions and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and cost. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, accounting for up to 95% of disease prevalence.¹ If not adequately treated, diabetes can result in multiple long-term complications.² It is estimated that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes will double by 2024.²

With few endocrinologists practicing in the United States,³ the care of patients with diabetes falls largely on primary care physicians. Even with the best of intentions, it is often challenging to meet standards of care, in part because the time physicians can spend with individual patients is minimal.

While the efficacy of insulin therapy in the management of diabetes is clearly documented, numerous barriers exist as to its effective use early in the disease. Whether because they lack knowledge or have insufficient resources, primary care physicians have concerns with initiating insulin therapy. When the appropriate resources and treatment options are employed, the onset of the potentially overwhelming complications often associated with diabetes can be prevented or delayed. The approval of new insulin analogs should assist primary care physicians and their patients with diabetes in achieving the goal of physiologic insulin replacement and near-normal glucose levels.

This continuing medical education activity will enable healthcare professionals, specifically primary care physicians, to gain knowledge of the rationale, strategies, and benefits associated with initiating insulin therapy earlier in the treatment protocol of patients with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, physicians will become familiar with other aspects of managing the patient with diabetes, including the importance of postprandial glucose control, diabetes self-management training, and how to get the most out of diabetes education tools.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize the role of insulin and list its benefits in treating patients with type 2 diabetes
• Differentiate commercially available insulin preparations  and analyze the potential role of each in the individual insulin regimen
• Illustrate a strategy for the initiation of insulin  therapy in type 2 diabetes
• Identify and integrate insulin injection devices and diabetes education tools that are available to aid primary care physicians in implementing insulin therapy in the office setting
• Discuss the role of fingerstick blood glucose pattern management in making appropriate insulin dose adjustments

Target Audience

This continuing medical education activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of healthcare professionals who treat patients with diabetes, including primary care physicians, family practitioners, and internists.

Continuing Medical Education Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME®) through the joint sponsorship of Washington Hospital Center, Medstar Research Institute, and Clinical CONNEXION. Washington Hospital Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.

Credit Designation

The Washington Hospital Center designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.

Faculty

To learn more about the program faculty, click here.

• American Diabetes Association. National Diabetes Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/national-diabetes-fact-sheet.jsp. Accessed May 10, 2005.
• Wolfangel P. Addressing the high costs of the diabetes epidemic in the U.S. population. Managed Care. 2004;13:4-14.
• US Physician Database. Available at: http://www.dr-411.com/physician specialty list.asp. Accessed May 10, 2005.