Prescribing of SGLT2 inhibitors in primary care: A qualitative study of General Practitioners and Endocrinologists

Aims: To explore: 1) General Practitioners' (GPs') perspectives regarding initiating SGLT2 inhibitors and the resources that inform their pharmacotherapy choices; and 2) The sup-port provided to GPs by Endocrinologists in relation to the prescription of type 2 diabetes medications. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 15 GPs and 12 Endocrinologists working in diverse areas in New South Wales, Australia. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and emergent themes were identified using a general inductive approach. Results: Under-appreciation of the cardio-renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors, a preference for an Endocrinologist to initiate therapy, and patients' experiences with adverse effects were identified as reasons for low rates of initiating SGLT2 inhibitors by some GPs. GPs reported that they would like to receive education about this topic from Endocrinologists, ideally via case-based discussions. A perceived challenge faced by Endocrinologists in pro-viding GP education included potential constraints on talk content imposed by industry at sponsored events. Endocrinologists indicated that interactive sessions were most useful to GPs. Conclusions: Despite the evidence for the cardio-renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors, there are barriers to GPs prescribing these agents. Case-based discussions between GPs and Endocrinologists about type 2 diabetes treatment including the role of SGLT2 inhibitors could overcome some of these barriers. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Through interviews with GPs and Endocrinologists in diverse areas of New South Wales, Australia, it was found that some GPs under-appreciated the cardio-renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors and preferred Endocrinologists to initiate therapy. GPs expressed a desire for education from Endocrinologists on this topic, while Endocrinologists indicated that interactive sessions were most useful to GPs.