Endocrinologists With Higher Test Scores Update Prescribing
Physicians who scored higher on medical knowledge assessments adopted new diabetes medication guidelines more rapidly.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Diabetes
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A study of Medicare data through 2022 shows that endocrinologists with high Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment scores were more likely to adopt 2019 American Diabetes Association guideline updates. Those top-scoring doctors increased their prescribing of SGLT2i drugs significantly more than their lower-scoring peers.
Why it matters
Updated clinical standards recommend SGLT2i and GLP-1RA medications to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications for high-risk patients. Understanding the link between physician knowledge assessment scores and treatment adoption helps identify how to improve clinical guideline implementation.
The study analyzed Medicare claims for 177,284 patients treated by 1,061 endocrinologists. SGLT2i prescribing increased by more than 30% more for patients under the care of top-quartile assessment scorers compared to bottom-quartile scorers.
The players
American Diabetes Association
This is a non-profit organization that works to prevent and cure diabetes while improving the lives of all people affected by the disease.
The details
Researchers reviewed claims data from 2017 to 2022 to track how often providers followed American Diabetes Association recommendations for type 2 diabetes. While SGLT2i usage saw a marked rise across the board, the correlation between testing performance and prescribing behavior suggests that knowledge assessments may influence real-world clinical decision-making.
Timeline
2017 marked the beginning of the Medicare claims data analysis period.
2018 serves as the baseline for comparing the adoption of new prescribing habits.
2019 is when the American Diabetes Association updated its Standards of Care.
2022 concluded the study period for analyzing Medicare beneficiary claims.
Health Landscape
This study tracks how physician knowledge assessments influence the integration of the American Diabetes Association's 2019 Standards of Care into clinical practice. It demonstrates a shift in how medical oversight and performance evaluation may drive the adoption of evidence-based treatments.
Patients may find that their treatment plans for type 2 diabetes are increasingly aligned with current clinical guidelines as physicians continue their professional development. The findings suggest that access to clinicians who actively participate in continuous learning assessments could impact the management of cardiovascular risks.
The takeaway
Physicians who engage in ongoing testing and professional feedback are more likely to implement new medical standards. Patients can benefit by asking their endocrinologists about the latest guideline recommendations for managing their specific conditions.
Further reading
For more on evolving treatment protocols, visit the Diabetes section.
More information
View the complete study on diabetes prescribing patterns for additional methodology details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News-Medical.
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