Evaluation of a Toolkit to Improve Cardiovascular Disease Screening and Treatment for People With Type 2 Diabetes

A cardiovascular disease Toolkit was developed by the Canadian Diabetes Association and mailed to family physician with the Spring/Summer 2009 edition of the newsletter, Canadian Diabetes. The Toolkit was packaged in a brightly-coloured box with Canadian Diabetes Association branding, and contained: 1) an introductory letter from the Chair of the practice guidelines' Dissemination and Implementation Committee; 2) an eight page summary of selected sections of the practice guidelines targeted towards primary care physicians; 3) a four page synopsis of the key guideline elements pertaining to cardiovascular disease risk; 4) a small double-sided laminated card with a simplified algorithm for cardiovascular risk assessment, vascular protection strategies and screening for cardiovascular disease; and 5) a pad of tear-off sheets for patients with a cardiovascular risk self-assessment tool and a list of recommended risk reduction strategies.

Inclusion criteria

• Patient with diagnosed diabetes
• Seen in the office of a participating family physician at least once between July 2009 and April 2010
• At high risk for cardiovascular events:

• Previous cardiovascular disease (including AMI, angina, stroke, TIA, claudication); or
• Men aged >= 45 years, women aged >= 50 years; or
• Men aged < 45 years, women aged < 50 years with at least one of the following:

• Macrovascular disease (silent myocardial infarction, or evidence of peripheral arterial, carotid or cerebrovascular disease)
• Microvascular disease (nephropathy or retinopathy)
• Family history of premature coronary or cerebrovascular disease in a first-degree relative
• Duration of diabetes > 15 years with age > 30 years