Public Perception of Health Care Provider Practice Regarding Family History of Diabetes

Objective:To determine public perception of provider practice regarding collection of family history of diabetes and discussion of risks and recommendations

Methods:The Michigan Diabetes, Osteoporosis and Arthritis Survey (DAO) is a random digit dialed telephone survey of 2656 Michigan adults with over-sampling of persons who are over 45 years old, African American or Latino/Hispanic. The DAO is a survey of knowledge, opinions, health status and behaviors.   Six questions regarding family history of diabetes were included in the Michigan Diabetes, Arthritis and Osteoporosis Survey (DAO) in 2005

Results:About 58.5% of Michigan adults report a family member with diabetes. Those who were young and those who self-identified as Hispanic were more likely to report a family history of diabetes.  Approximately 52.7% of respondents reported their provider collected their family history of diabetes, with family history more likely to be collected from persons with diabetes.  Of respondents whose family history was collected, 52.7% reported that their provider discussed risk of diabetes based on their family history and of those, 57% reported that the provider made recommendations to reduce the risk.

Conclusion:Individuals with a family history of diabetes are at greater risk for developing diabetes themselves. Discussion of the risk along with prevention strategies  is important for primary prevention of diabetes in these individuals.  Based on these survey results, more than one-half of respondents with a family history of diabetes have not had this important discussion with their provider.