Orchestrating Glycemic Health: A Narrative Review of the Multidisciplinary Diabetes Management Team from Diagnostics to Oral-Systemic Support
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a quintessential chronic disease whose effective management transcends the capacity of any single healthcare discipline. Optimal care requires a coordinated, interprofessional approach addressing its multifactorial pathophysiology and systemic complications. Aim: This narrative review examines the comprehensive diabetes care pathway, focusing on the integration of laboratory diagnostics, nursing, nutritional counseling, pharmacy, dentistry, and administrative coordination. It aims to synthesize evidence on the roles, interactions, and collective impact of these disciplines on patient outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science (2010-2024) using keywords related to diabetes, multidisciplinary care, and each professional domain. Relevant studies and reviews were thematically analyzed to construct an integrated narrative. Results: The review delineates how seamless collaboration across disciplines—from point-of-care glucose/HbA1c testing guided by lab standards, to nursing-led education, pharmacist-mediated medication optimization, dietitian-driven nutritional therapy, and dentist-managed periodontal care—synergistically improves glycemic control, reduces complications, and enhances quality of life. The critical, yet often overlooked, role of the medical secretary in care coordination is highlighted. Significant barriers to integration, including siloed workflows and reimbursement models, persist. Conclusion: A truly patient-centered, multidisciplinary model is the gold standard for diabetes management. Future success depends on formalizing team structures, leveraging shared health informatics platforms, and restructuring payment systems to value collaborative, preventive care across the entire diabetes care continuum.
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Norah Abdullah Naser ALGaseem, Nisreen Mohsen Mohammed Shiba, Saleh Abdullah Saleh Alawad, Nora Abkar Ahmed Fulayhi, Sitah Ahmed Hadi Hakami, Eid Awwadh Muti Almutairi, Waleed Mohammed Thaqal Alshakarah, Murad Rashed Alzahrani, Ohud Nawi Sukhayl Alruwaili, Abdallah Bnider Alotaibi, Sharifah Braq Jaber Asiri, Suoad Albalawi, Mohammed Mubarak Abdullah Aldawsari
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