Objective To compare the American Diabetes Association standards for the medical care of diabetic patients with reported care patterns.

Research Design and Methods These standards were compared with reported care patterns obtained from a stratified random telephone survey of general practitioners, family physicians, and general internists in Pennsylvania. A total of 610 physicians completed the survey for a response rate of 73%.

Results All primary-care physicians reported measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin, routine referrals to eye doctors, and patient self-monitoring of blood glucose < recommended. Nearly all physicians performed foot exams, but the exams were infrequent for many of the physicians. Significant and independent differences (P < 0.05) were noted between different groups of physicians. Older physicians and general practitioners reported patterns of care most different from the recommended standards for referral to eye doctors, measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin, and use of patient self-monitoring of blood glucose. General practitioners reported the lowest frequency of foot exams.

Conclusions Educational programs on diabetes for primary-care physicians should focus on reported behaviors most different from recommended standards and may need to target subgroups of physicians to achieve a more uniform level of care for all diabetic patients.