Who uses a diabetes “drop‐in” centre

This study aimed to document patients' reasons for attendance at a “drop‐in” centre serving a general diabetic clinic (n = 756). Over six months the following data were documented: reasons for attendance (self‐initiated or referred and source or referrals); length of consultation; age and sex of clients; whether NIDDM or IDDM; and treatment modes. All 133 minor consultations (<30 min) (95 NIDDM and 38 IDDM) were self‐initiated. Of the 71 major consultations (>30 min) comprising 59 NIDDM (of whom 47 were insulin‐treated) and 12 IDDM, 48 were self‐initiated. The main reasons for major consultations were: 20 presented with persisting hyperglycaemia > 17 mmol/l (17 required insulin adjustment); eight had unfavourable social circumstances affecting diabetes management and required counselling; 10 requested ongoing diabetes education; six presented with foot lesions (two with neuropathic ulcers); and 10 diabetics came with non‐diabetes‐related health problems. Unexpectedly, there were no requests for dietary advice, and few for hypoglycaemia. There were six contacts by relatives, five parents of people with IDDM expressing concern about their child's lifestyle which compromised metabolic control and one husband of a person with NIDDM. We conclude that our clients demonstrate a definite need for diabetes‐related education or advice between clinic visits. In our study the major reasons for seeking advice were for hyperglycaemia needing treatment modification, counselling and to increase diabetes knowledge.