Fast Facts from Thought Leader Select—Trends in Diabetes Research among U.S. Primary Care Physicians
January 6, 2011 · 6 comments
The International Diabetes Federation Atlas (http://www.diabetesatlas.org) reports that 285 million people aged 20-79 years globally have diabetes, a disease impacting most countries. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2007 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, diabetes affects 23.6 million people or 7.8% of the U.S. population. It is no wonder, then, that millions of dollars are spent every year to fund research that will treat and perhaps cure the disease.
Certainly, endocrinologists and a host of other specialty physicians participate in basic and clinical research sponsored by government entities, academic institutions, professional societies and biopharmaceutical companies. However, primary care physicians (PCPs) are also widely involved in diabetes research. The diversity of patient populations and illnesses treated by PCPs make them desirable investigators, especially when the research seeks to understand diabetic co-morbidities, how the disease affects different populations, and better ways to help patients manage their diabetes.
Thought Leader Select recently studied the research activities of more than 150 primary care thought leaders (TLs) in the United States and identified several interesting trends about their research activities in general, as well as those related to diabetes research. We found that 86% of primary care TLs are regularly involved in basic and clinical research efforts. Of those 134 actively conducting research, more than half are involved in diabetes-related projects (see Chart 1). More than half of the TLs involved in research also hold permanent research roles, such as investigators with research institutes/organizations or heads of academic research departments. Indeed, many of the PCPs studied held diabetes-related research appointments, including postitions with the following diabetes research groups:
- VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative for Diabetes Mellitus
- Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center
- Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Clinical Research Center
- Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center
- International Behavioral Research in Diabetes Group Exchange (BRIDGE)
- University of Chicago Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC)
- University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio Diabetes Studies
- East Harlem Diabetes Center of Excellence (funded by the New York State Department of Health)
On average, the primary care TLs studied participated in 24 studies and held 15 principal investigator roles. The diabetes topics most often studied by this group of U.S. thought leaders include:
- Novel treatments for Type 2 diabetes
- Diabetes and cardiovascular risk
- Diabetes prevention
- Obesity and diabetes
- Chronic disease management
- Glycemic control
- Pre-diabetes
- Improving risk factors for diabetes complications
- Quality of diabetes care
TAGS: 
academic institutions basic research biopharmaceutical cardiovascular risk CDC Centers for Disease Control chronic disease management clinical research diabetes East Harlem Diabetes Center of Excellence endocrinologists glycemic control International Behavioral Research in Diabetes Group Exchange International Diabetes Federation Atlas key opinion leaders KOL engagement KOL identification KOL profiling KOLs Massachusetts General Hospital Diabetes Clinical Research Center Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Center National Diabetes Fact Sheet obesity patients PCPs pharmaceutical biotechnology physicians primary care physicians professional societies thought leaders type 2 diabetes University of Chicago Diabetes Research and Training Center University of Texas Health Science Ceneter of San Antonio Diabetes Studies VA Quality Enhancement Research Initiative for Diabetes Mellitus Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kristen Smithwick. Kristen Smithwick said: Great information on diabetes research trends among U.S. PCPs from @tlselect http://bit.ly/guoz7x #diabetes [...]
Gail Feltham · January 10, 2011 at 4:37 pm ·
This research is vital to the health of millions of human beings that suffer from diabetes and those that are at risk for diabetes. Raising disease state awareness is essential. It is really important for healthcare professionals to screen, diagnose and provide direction. There are literally millions of people with Private insurance that has a minimal co-pay, that do not even take the time to get an annual physical. Knowing your five numbers -blood pressure, bmi, cholesterol, glucose and mid-waste circumference. Once you know these numbers you can take action. You need to make You a priority and take the time for that annual physical. If you grand parent or aunt or cousin died from diabetes or heart disease – I have news for you- you are at risk. I am one of eight children – 3 out of 8 of us have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, one of my brothers died of a sudden massive heart attack three years ago at age 44, so for me this disease is a villain that must be eradicated. It is important to understand the disease and to proactively arm yourself with knowledge about how to counter the disease. I am at high risk so here are some of the things that I have implemented to keep the villain at bay. My recommendation for dietary sugar management is following The Belly Fat Cure Diet go to: http://jorgecruise.com/my-book/ this is the best $20 investment I have ever made. It helps you to understand what sugar does to you body and how to eat the right “Super Foods” that will naturally enhance your energy and overall health. I spin twice a week and weight train on alternate days. I take 4 ounces of Mona Vie Active, a Critical Omega capsule, COQ10 Enzyme and 81mg aspirin have a glass of red wine every evening after dinner. Do not eat a large meal after 8pm, if you have to eat have some oatmeal with almonds or a low sodium cup of soup. After following my regiment my cholesterol ratio shifted from a 3.57 to a 2.54 in less than six months. My HDL increased by 20 points in addition my Triglycerides went down and LDL dropped by more than 20 points. With the price of gas going up, walk when you can and if you are shopping, climb the stairs at the mall. Good Sleep Habits and Sex on a regular basis also helps. Speak to your doctor about a plan of action that will work best for you. My doctor said to keep up the good work. If you smoke make this the year of “You” and quit tomorrow. Let’s Defeat Diabetes together—Take control in the New Year!
Kristen · January 11, 2011 at 1:18 pm ·
Gail – Thanks so much for your comments. You’ve shared lots of good tips and resources to help people manage their diabetes. If we’re to minimize the impact of this disease, it will take all of us working together to educate, share best practices and serve as a support system.
Peg North · January 11, 2011 at 12:48 pm ·
Do hope some of these research project are also looking at the influence of ethnicity and how presenting education “in culture” can influence for a more positive outcome.
Kristen · January 11, 2011 at 1:31 pm ·
Peg – You raise a very good point. I’m happy to report that several of the TLs profiled in this study actively research racial disparities in glycemic control and diabetes outcomes and diabetes interventions for various ethnicities, including African Americans and Latinos. Thanks for your comment!
Gail Feltham · January 26, 2011 at 2:13 pm ·
Hello Kristen and Peg -
Funny that you both touch on the aspects of the necessity of analyzing the differentiation of gc in patients by race. I just recently joined HolaDoctor.
HolaDoctor is the leading provider of culturally appropriate, health and wellness programs for Spanish-speaking populations. HolaDoctor also runs the HolaDoctor Consumer Network which has the largest online audience of Spanish language Health Seekers in the U.S. HolaDoctor has over 1.3 million Hispanics with health profiles registered in its user database. The HolaDoctor programs, which incorporate clinical content, nutrition management, beliefs and services personalized for Hispanics, have been proven effective through large scientific studies, and have been used by millions of Hispanic/Latinos over the past 10 years. We have created a diet tool called MiDieta which has a proven track record for helping Hispanic/Latino patients with successful weight-loss.