Preventing complications in diabetes mellitus - The role of the primary care physician

Primary care physicians can improve the outcomes for persons with diabetes by making timely diagnoses, assisting diabetic patients in maintaining glycemic control, screening for diabetic complications, and trying to prevent or delay the progression of complications through primary and secondary prevention strategies. This article provides an overview of the spectrum of diabetes care for primary care physicians including screening, diagnosis, glycemic control, and prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.