This article was originally published here
J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2021 Mar 24: 19322968211001444. doi: 10.1177 / 19322968211001444. Online before going to print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: America’s diabetes care quality policies did not improve between 2005 and 2016, and even plateaued in areas that surpass national statistics. New approaches to diabetes care and education are needed and particularly important to reach populations with significant barriers to optimized care.
METHODS: A pilot quality improvement study was conducted to optimize diabetes education in a clinic with a patient population with significant health barriers. Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) were deployed in a team-based model with flexible scheduling and same-day educational visits outside the traditional framework of diabetes education specifically targeting practices with poorer diabetes quality measures in a clinic influenced by social determinants of health.
RESULTS: A team-based and flexible diabetes education model lowered hemoglobin A1C for people who participated in the project (who measured a second A1C) by an average of -2.3% and improved Minnesota diabetes quality measures (D5) for clinicians participating in the project by 5.8%, optimized use of CDCES and reduced high visit error rate for diabetes education.
CONCLUSIONS: Educating about diabetes in a team-based and flexible model can better meet patient needs and improve metrics for diabetes care in environments with a patient population with significant barriers.
PMID: 33759587 | DOI: 10.1177 / 19322968211001444
