JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Primary care plays a key role in management of type 2 diabetes. SGLT2 inhibitors have been demonstrated to also reduce hospitalisation and cardiac and renal complications. Tools that optimise management, including appropriate prescribing, are a priority for treating chronic diseases. Future Health Today is software which facilitates clinical decision support and quality improvement activities.

Objective:

The study aims to explore the barriers and enablers to implementation of an SGLT2 inhibitor module within Future Health Today software.

Methods:

Clinic staff were recruited to participate in interviews on their experience in their use of a tool to improve SGLT2 inhibitor prescribing. Thematic analysis was guided by Clinical Performance Feedback Intervention Theory.

Results:

Sixteen interviews were completed. The enablers included workflow alignment, clinical appropriateness, and active delivery of the module. Key barriers to use were competing priorities, staff engagement and knowledge of the clinical topic.

Conclusions:

There is a recognised benefit for the use of a clinical decision support tool to support type 2 diabetes management, but barriers were identified that impeded the usability and actionability of the module. Successful and effective implementation of this tool could support the optimisation of patient management of type 2 diabetes in primary care.