SC DHEC Diabetes Connect: MD Office Consultation to Assure Improved Diabetes Standards of Care

Objective:The objective of the SC DHEC Diabetes Connect program is to improve the delivery of care and screening for people with obesity, cardiometabolic risk factors and diabetes in rural primary care physician offices.

Methods:  The program includes: 

1. Self-reported needs assessments completed by the office MD and clinical staff
2. Survey analysis to define the recommended educational modules for staff.  The modules are based on the American Diabetes Association’s 2009 Clinical Recommendations for Care. 
3. Educational sessions with didactic information, demonstrations and discussion on implementation.  Patient education materials and clinical “tools” are shared on each topic. 
4. Repetition of the self-reported needs assessments by the clinical staff. 

Results: The project is ongoing.  Currently, 173 practicing MDs (Family Practice and Internal Medicine) in seven counties have been contacted with a  >41% participation rate.  ALL indicators measuring “comfort” in providing specific skills for people with diabetes and/or obesity improved (14 of 15 indicator changes with P < .05). Post education, the staff are more aligned with the MD’s expectations of their duties in caring for patients with obesity and diabetes.  Additionally, the frequency of the delivery of the standards of care for obesity and diabetes show improvements. 

Conclusion:The initial analysis shows the educational interventions improved the actual performance of skills and standards for patients with obesity and/or diabetes. Additional benefits include improved utilization of community resources and a stronger partnership between public health and the medical providers.