Glucose Testing for Adults Receiving Medicaid and Antipsychotics: A Population-Based Prescriber Survey on Behaviors, Attitudes, and Barriers.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess provider attitudes about glucose testing for adults prescribed second-generation antipsychotic medication.

METHODS

Missouri Medicaid prescribers of antipsychotics in 2011 were surveyed (N=924, 25% response rate). Pearson's chi square test was used to compare responses between prescriber specialty setting. Multivariable log-binomial regression evaluated the association of factors hypothesized as barriers to screening.

RESULTS

Prescribers in community mental health centers were more likely than primary care providers to report that they would definitely order baseline testing (57% versus 39%, p<.001) and were greater promoters of screening to colleagues (76% versus 49%, p<.001). The strongest predictor of screening intent was disagreeing strongly that "metabolic screening is not a priority for me or my organization" (94% more likely to screen at drug initiation and 74% more likely at annual evaluation, both p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing organizational priority across all treatment settings is important for achieving population-based diabetes screening goals for all Medicaid patients receiving antipsychotics.