Home Article CCS study: Physicians ‘overwhelmed’ by soaring diabetes numbers

CCS study: Physicians ‘overwhelmed’ by soaring diabetes numbers

By HME News Staff

Updated 9:47 AM CST, Wed February 26, 2025

Arti Masturzo DALLAS – The vast majority of physicians caring for people with diabetes say they are overwhelmed, according to a new study from CCS, a provider of clinical solutions and home medical supplies for those living with chronic conditions.

Eighty-five percent of endocrinologists and 58% of PCPs feel overwhelmed by the number of patients with diabetes, demonstrating that many are not in a position to properly support the ongoing education and coaching needs of people living with diabetes, according to “From Burnout to Breakdown: Why America’s Healthcare System Is Failing Patients Living with Diabetes and Providers Alike,” a collaboration between CCS and independent market research firm PureSpectrum.

“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.”

To conduct the study, CCS and PureSpectrum surveyed more than 100 PCPs and more than 100 endocrinologists in the U.S.

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%) also agree that a lack of ongoing diabetes education and coaching is a direct cause of low patient adherence to therapy.

The study also found that health plans and their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are urging some clinicians to steer patients away from DME companies that traditionally provide patients with more comprehensive access to chronic care education and coaching. This, despite 73% of endocrinologists and 69% of PCPs preferring to prescribe therapies, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), through a DME provider rather than a pharmacy.