Table 1

Conditions and content of brief educational messages attached to test reports.

Study phase

Type and attachment of message

Content of message

Phase One

Unconditional; attached to all cholesterol reports

For type 2 diabetes &age ≥ 40 yrs: on simvastatin 40 mg? See [local guideline] for detail and exclusions

Conditional; attached to all HbA1c reports

If HbA1c < 6.5%

"Within target for type 2 diabetes"

If HbA1c 6.5 – 7.0%

"For type 2 diabetes, consider increasing oral therapy"

If HbA1c 7.0–8.0%

"If type 2 diabetes: on max oral therapy, e.g., Metformin 1G BD + gliclazide 160 mg BD?"

If HbA1c > 8.0%

"If type 2 diabetes, consider insulin if on max oral Rx, e.g., Metformin 1G BD + gliclazide 160 mg BD"

Phase Two

Unconditional; attached to all albumin: creatinine ratio (ACR) test reports

Newcastle Diabetes Guideline Footcare: all patients annual review of sensation, pulses, footwear education

Conditional; attached to all ACR test reports

If ACR above 2.5

If confirmed microalbuminuria: aim for BP < 130/80 in type 2 diabetes

If ACR below 2.5

If no microalbuminuria: aim for BP control < 140/80 in type 2 diabetes

Foy et al. Implementation Science 2007 2:22   doi:10.1186/1748-5908-2-22