Integration within the Utah Diabetes Telehealth Series

Objective: To describe partner integration into an existing training program as a means to sustain and meet broader training needs.  Also, to demonstrate the effectiveness of trainings implemented through this process. 

Methods:The Utah Diabetes Telehealth Series (UDTS) is a monthly distance-learning program. Experts speak on topics ranging from diabetes management strategies to emerging issues. UDTS has grown from six sites in 2002 to over 100 sites from 16 states.  Growth has strained resources and has threatened program sustainability. To gain resources and address training needs, in 2008 the Utah Heart Disease, Tobacco, and Maternal/Child Health Programs, and the Utah Women’s Health Information Network, were invited to co-sponsor UDTS. These partners now contribute to program costs. They identified training needs related to retinopathy, heart health, polycystic ovary syndrome, health literacy, and GDM, and these trainings were recently conducted. Training on tobacco use and diabetes is scheduled. For each training, pre-post knowledge tests were conducted and a clinical practice impact survey was administered.

Results:This partnership has assured program sustainability and allowed for expansion.  For the above five programs, average participation was 128 per program (range = 72 to 179), average pre-post knowledge increased from 60% to 89% (pre range = 49% to 72%, post range = 85% to 92%), and 36% indicated changing clinical practice as a result of the trainings (range = 14% to 55%).

Conclusion:Partnering improves sustainability and reach. Training resulted in improved knowledge and clinical practice change. Further evaluation is needed to assess the impact on diabetes-related health outcomes.