Partnership for Peak Healthcare Performance Research Shows Consumers' Lack Involvement in Managing Th...(cisions about when and where to go for h...),Health

The online survey of employees from DFWBGH member companies was conducted by Crescendo Consulting Group to learn more about: consumer awareness of diabetes risk factors; consumer awareness of appropriate diabetes care; consumer awareness and attitudes concerning quality measures; and the likelihood of using physician performance information and other quality measures in making decisions about care. More than 1,500 DFW area employees participated in the survey. The research was funded by sanofi-aventis.

Key Survey findings

• Diabetes Risk Factors: Consumers are generally able to identify the most important risk factors for diabetes, such as being overweight and family history, but are less knowledgeable about other important risk factors, such as increased age, ethnic heritage, smoking, pregnancy, alcohol consumption and heart condition. Further, 39% of respondents doubted that diabetes could be prevented. Strong opportunities exist to distribute diabetes prevention, disease management, and community resource information.
• Appropriate Diabetes Tests: Nearly three out of four respondents (73%) know that HbA1C and blood sugar tests are important for managing diabetes, but far fewer are aware of other important tests, such as foot exams (43%), LDL cholesterol tests (40%) and eye exams (32%). This indicates an opportunity to educate consumers about appropriate diabetes tests as an indication of health care quality.
• Chronic Disease Management: A relatively low percentage of those surveyed responded that they "very actively" manage their chronic health conditions, which implies an opportunity to educate individuals with chronic health conditions about the need for personal research, office visit preparation, and use of work site programs.
• Health Care Consumerism: Respondents did not unif
  '/>"/>