Building a DPCP Team – North Dakota Style

Objective:The North Dakota Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) team is a strong partnership that overcomes financial, distance, and technological barriers to be successful.

Methods:The North Dakota DPCP operates with a small budget, requiring creativity to build a functional team.  The team has six members in four locations, in-state and out of state. The team “meets” and communicates regularly using innovative technology, such as web meetings, conference calls, and a web drive for sharing files.  Although technology can be a barrier, this team successfully works together across the miles and perseveres during technological challenges.  The team regularly evaluates its processes and works to strengthen communication and coordination.  Other keys to its success are the members’ commitment to diabetes prevention and control, self-motivation, and an ongoing sense of humor! 

Results:Utilizing a virtual team concept, the North Dakota DPCP benefits from a strong organizational capacity, a variety of communication methods, increased coordination of activities, and institutionalized evaluation and accountability protocols. Complex activities, such as a virtually developed logic model and state plan, are successfully completed within this unique team structure.

Conclusion:Drawing upon one another’s strengths and a commitment to piloting new technology, this team has proven you don’t have to be face to face to accomplish great work, and distance doesn’t have to be a barrier to building partnerships.