Diabetes Services Initiative
Trinidad and Tobago has one of the highest incidences of diabetes in the western hemisphere. Therefore, the aims of this component are to:
- improve the health of people with diabetes in Trinidad and Tobago,
- build capacity for diabetes care, and
- develop diabetes research in Trinidad and Tobago.
In supporting the expansion of mechanisms for treating with the disease and its ailments, a clinical model is proposed, which initially focuses on determining the status of known diabetics based on the existence of minimal, moderate or severe diabetic complications. Traditional approaches and more contemporary methodologies such as digitally transmitted retinal photography will be incorporated, and appropriate recommendations made for the triaging of persons into continued chronic care, more intense care or, emergency referral based on present status and previous history.
Two service models will be assessed. One model utilises the mobile concept where core staff will rotate among health facilities throughout a Regional Health Authority; while a second, fixed model located in two permanent sites in another RHA will deliver a similar level of screening, education and training.
Understanding the nature of diabetes in Trinidad is also a central component. As such, the data generated from the patient evaluations will be used to address issues related to the cross-sectional state of diabetes and diabetes care, the level of success of the various interventions, and the level of progress achieved over time.
As a parallel activity, a plan for developing a Centre of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes will be expedited. This Centre will utilise a patient-centred approach and provide a range of core and extended services including endocrinologists/diabetologists, dietitians, nurse practioners and diabetes educators, ophthalmologists and podiatrists. In addition to the availablility of these services, the core staff would also provide training for other specialists as well as for the primary care physicians, optometrists, dentists and physical trainers who also form part of the diabeters care team. |
