COMPUS Communiqué — Vol. 5, No. 7
January 29, 2010
In This Issue
- Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: New Tools to Support Recommendations
- Café Scientifique - Halifax and Regina
- Upcoming Consultations: Second-Line Therapy for Patients with Diabetes
- Tell Us How CADTH Products Are Being Used
- Feedback
Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: New Tools to Support Recommendations
CADTH is pleased to release the first four intervention tools from its suite of products on the topic of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).
These tools, based on CADTH’s recommendations for the optimal prescribing and use of blood glucose test strips, can help support decision-making regarding SMBG by policy-makers, health care professionals, and patients.
The products available are listed below. To make these tools relevant to different audiences, CADTH can also help you tailor specific tools to your individual needs.
- Highlights the clinical and economic evidence for SMBG for specific decision-makers.
Quick Reference Prescribing Aid
- Gives prescribers the "bottom line" to consider when prescribing a regimen for SMBG, along with key messages and cost information.
- Provides recommendations for patients with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin; guidance on when more frequent self-testing may be needed; and lifestyle tips for managing diabetes.
- Summarizes key clinical messages on the optimal practice of SMBG to support decision-making by health care professionals
Watch for the Communiqué to learn of the release of more products that will help decision-makers and health care professionals bring evidence about SMBG into daily practice. And don’t miss CADTH’s article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal examining the benefits and costs of SMBG by patients with type 2 diabetes.
Café Scientifique - Halifax and Regina
To help promote a discussion among health care professionals and patients about the challenging issues surrounding SMBG, CADTH is hosting Café Scientifique events on this topic in Halifax and Regina. These events are free and open to both the public (February 18 and March 3) and to health care professionals (February 17 and March 2). Visit www.cadth.ca/cafe for more information and to register.
Café Scientifique is an informal get-together where experts speak briefly about the issue and a lively discussion period follows. Participants can ask a question, offer an opinion, or just listen in a relaxed environment.
Upcoming Consultations: Second-Line Therapy for Patients with Diabetes
On February 5, 2010 CADTH will release two draft reports - Second-Line Therapy for Patients with Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Metformin: A Systematic Review and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis [DRAFT] and Optimal Therapy Recommendations for the Prescribing and Use of Second-Line Therapy for Patients with Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Metformin [DRAFT]. All interested parties are invited to provide feedback on these reports. You will receive another Communiqué to officially announce the consultation period, slated for 20 business days.
Tell Us How CADTH Products Are Being Used
We always want to hear about ways that CADTH’s research, tools, and services are influencing clinical practice, improving policies, and affecting patient outcomes. If you have a story to share about the impact of CADTH’s work in your organization, we want to hear it. Contact your local Liaison Officer to share your impact stories.
Feedback
We welcome your feedback. Tell us what you think of the Communiqué.