This qualitative study examines to what extent and why physicans still prescribe self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in patients with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (NITT2D) when the evidence shows it increases cost without improving hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), general well being, or health-related quality of life. Semistructured phone interviews with 17 primary care physicians indicated that the majority continue to recommend routine self-monitoring of blood glucose due to a compelling belief in its ability to promote the lifestyle changes needed for glycemic control. Targeting physician beliefs about the effectiveness of self-monitoring of blood glucose, and designing robust interventions accordingly, may help reduce this practice.
Keywords: HbA1c; Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG); evidence-based medicine; glucometer; glucose monitoring; home monitoring; insulin naïve diabetes; non–insulin-treated type 2 diabetes; test strips.
© 2018 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.