Lay summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects more than 250,000 New Zealanders and is significantly associated with diabetes-induced cardiovascular and renal disease. Unfortunately, T2D also leads to some of the greatest inequities for Māori, with Māori having twice the prevalence of T2D and five times the burden of diabetes complications. Evidence suggests that up to half of this inequity may be due to clinical inertia, particularly the sub-optimal prescribing of appropriate medications in primary care. Thus, this study aims to explore inequities in uptake and use of guideline-recommended medications for diabetes and associated renal/cardiovascular disease. We will also evaluate which practice-level factors are associated with equitable prescribing, and work with clinicians, patients and whānau to develop and trial a practice-level intervention to optimise diabetes prescribing and reduce the equity prescribing gap in primary care.