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Despite its increasing incidence and high conferred risk to women and their children, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is managed inconsistently during and after pregnancy due to an absence of a systemic approach to managing these women. New guidelines for GDM testing and diagnosis are based on stronger evidence, but raise concerns about increased workloads and confusion in a landscape of multiple, conflicting guidelines. Postnatal care and long-term preventive measures are particularly fragmented, with no professional group taking responsibility for this crucial role. Clearer guidelines and assistance from existing frameworks, such as the National Gestational Diabetes Register, could enable general practitioners to take ownership of the management of women at risk of type 2 diabetes following GDM, applying the principles of chronic disease management long term.

This paper investigates factors influencing women's engagement with diabetes preventative care after a pregnancy with gestational diabetes (GDM) from the perspectives of GPs and women and explores the role of the GP in that care. Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews with women who had experienced GDM (n = 16) and GPs (n = 18) were conducted and a thematic content analysis conducted. Women's interviews explored their experience of GDM, factors influencing, and engagement with, follow-up care for diabetes prevention and role of the GP in that care. GP interviews explored postnatal care provided to women with GDM, the role of the GP in that care and perceived factors influencing a mother's engagement in her self-care. Three themes were identified: (1) advice and testing; (2) role of the GP; and (3) barriers and enablers to care. Significant consensus about the role of the GP and barriers and enablers to care existed. Both groups believed postGDMfollow-up is best done by GPs and suggested recall and reminders would improve care. GPs gave consistent exercise advice, but lacked consensus on follow-up testing, dietary and weight-loss advice. Women's health literacy influenced how they viewed their GPs role. Consensus guidelines on follow-up testing and diabetes prevention advice, tailored advice according to health literacy and addressing barriers to care would likely improve the capacity of GPs to prevent unnecessary conversion to type 2 diabetes in these at-risk women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]