Abstract
Five questionnaire surveys have been conducted at ten-year intervals since 1972 to assess the status of diabetes treatment in Japan. The survey results were evaluated in this study. The last survey was conducted in 2,030 medical institutions providing a high level of diabetes treatment, using the same approach as that of the previous 4 surveys. Most institutions diagnosed diabetes in accordance with the Guidelines for Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus of the Japan Diabetes Society, including the criteria for a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), similarly to 30 years previously. Blood glucose self-monitoring increased due to revised medical fees. A continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was introduced in less than 40 % of the institutions. Education and training of diabetic patients have been common in diabetologist clinics for 40 years. In the last survey, general practitioners provided less training than physicians in university and general hospitals. The last survey suggested that medical institutions were encouraging diabetic patients to participate in the activities of the Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care to improve educational activities. This is because the provision of these activities has become difficult due to a lack of diabetologists certified by the Japan Diabetes Society, despite the promotion of cooperation among medical institutions.
