Study Finds Critical Gaps in Diabetes Management

DALLAS—CCS—a provider of clinical solutions and home-delivered medical supplies for those living with chronic conditions—announced a new report that looks at the strain felt by America’s primary care physicians (PCPs) and endocrinologists caring for the growing population of people with diabetes. 

In collaboration with independent market research firm PureSpectrum, CCS surveyed more than 100 PCPs and more than 100 endocrinologists in the U.S. The report findings demonstrate that many providers are not in a position to properly support the ongoing education and coaching needs of people living with diabetes. Also, the report reveals that health plans and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are urging some clinicians to steer patients away from durable medical equipment (DME) companies that traditionally provide patients with more comprehensive access to chronic care education and coaching.

The Crisis in Patient Education

The report—From Burnout to Breakdown: Why America’s Healthcare System Is Failing Patients Living with Diabetes and Providers Alike—shows the extent to which a rising population of patients living with diabetes is impacting the well-being of these clinical audiences: 85% of endocrinologists and 58% of PCPs feel overwhelmed by the increasing number of patients with diabetes.

The report further highlights the vital importance of ongoing health education and coaching support for patients living with diabetes, with providers overwhelmingly agreeing that the lack of such support directly impacts therapy adherence. And yet, less than half of patients living with diabetes receive formal education and coaching on their chronic disease today.

While 91% of PCPs report providing ongoing patient health coaching and education specific to diabetes, just two-thirds (65%) believe patients have enough access. A majority of endocrinologists and PCPs (86% of both groups) also agree that a lack of ongoing diabetes education and coaching is a direct cause of low patient adherence to therapy.

“The data is clear: Proper education and coaching are not optional extras—they’re fundamental to successful diabetes management,” said Arti Masturzo, MD, chief medical officer at CCS. “As we face a projected surge to 39.7 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes by 2030, we must urgently address these systemic gaps in patient support and education.”

DME Providers Seen as Superior for Patient Outcomes

The report shows that most endocrinologists and PCPs believe DME providers to be strong sources of health coaching and education support. Seventy-three percent of endocrinologists and 69% of PCPs prefer to prescribe continuous glucose monitor (CGM) therapy through a DME provider rather than a pharmacy.

However, despite their preference, both PCPs (45%) and endocrinologists (76%) report they’re pressured by health plans to prescribe expressly through pharmacies rather than DME providers. Despite health plan pressure, the report found that 92% of PCPs and 91% of endocrinologists would be more likely to expressly prescribe CGMs through a DME provider versus a pharmacy if that supplier offers patients health coaching and education support services. Peer-reviewed research reinforces that patients with diabetes who use a CGM device are likely to stay on therapy longer and have a lower total cost of care when they receive their supplies through a DME instead of a pharmacy.

“Health care providers form the foundation of patient care, cultivating trust through personal relationships that develop over the years,” said Steven Edelman, MD, professor of medicine at the University of California San Diego. “They must have the ultimate authority to make decisions that put patient outcomes first. Instead of forcing clinicians to shoulder unsustainable burdens, we should trust their judgment in determining how to best equip patients with diabetes with the education, resources and support systems necessary for managing their health journey.”

To review the full report from CCS, visit ccsmed.com/from-burnout-to-breakdown. CCS conducted this survey in December 2024 with independent market research firm PureSpectrum. For more information on PureSpectrum’s methodology, visit purespectrum.com.