Intervisit Management of Patients With Diabetes: Synchronized Phone Calls

The US health care model continues to struggle with providing chronic disease management. Innovation focusing on improving care delivery systems to bridge this gap will be necessary to improve chronic care in the United States. This quality improvement project focused on patients with type 2 diabetes. This innovation was designed to change patient and provider engagement in follow-up care by providing a protected synchronous time in the form of a scheduled phone call to work on glycemic goals through improving patient’s diabetes self-management techniques and, when appropriate, medication titration. A standardized tool (the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire) was used to assess patient satisfaction with this intervention.     

Meeting a primary care challenge in the United States: chronic illness care

Leading health care experts in the United States have stated that the greatest primary care challenge today is meeting the complex needs of patients with chronic illness/long-term conditions or impairment.To address this challenge, there is a need for health care system redesign that requires a multidisciplinary team approach, including active participation from professional nurses. In particular, it is essential for advanced practice nurses to provide leadership in health systems design for which they are specifically trained and experienced. In this article, the primary care challenge related to chronic illness care management is addressed. Future implications for community-based, chronic illness care delivery and the education of future health care providers with a focus on advanced practice nurses will also be discussed.     

Barriers to providing diabetes care in community health centers

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify barriers to improving care for individuals with diabetes in community health centers. These findings are important because many such patients, as in most other practice settings, receive care that does not meet evidence-based standards. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 42 Midwestern health centers, we surveyed 389 health providers and administrators about the barriers they faced delivering diabetes care. We report on home blood glucose monitoring, HbA1c tests, dilated eye examinations, foot examinations, diet, and exercise, all of which are a subset of the larger clinical practice recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). RESULTS: Among the 279 (72%) respondents, providers perceived that patients were significantly less likely than providers to believe that key processes of care were important (overall mean on 30-point scale: providers 26.8, patients 18.2, P = 0.0001). Providers were more confident in their ability to instruct patients on diet and exercise than on their ability to help them make changes in these areas. Ratings of the importance of access to care and finances as barriers varied widely; however, >25% of the providers and administrators agreed that significant barriers included affordability of home blood glucose monitoring, HbA1c testing, dilated eye examination, and special diets; nonproximity of ophthalmologist; forgetting to order eye examinations and to examine patients' feet; time required to teach home blood glucose monitoring; and language or cultural barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Providers in health centers indicate a need to enhance behavioral change in diabetic patients. In addition, better health care delivery systems and reforms that improve the affordability, accessibility, and efficiency of care are also likely to help health centers meet ADA standards of care.     

Professionals delivering palliative care to people with COPD: qualitative study

This article describes health and social care professionals' perceptions of palliative care and facilitators and barriers to the delivery of such care for patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Health professionals participated in semi structured interviews and focus groups which were analysed using content analysis. According to participants, care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is focused upon the management of symptoms, with emphasis focused predominately on an acute model of care. Key barriers towards the delivery of palliative care included the reluctance to negotiatie end-of-life decisions and a perceived lack of understanding among patients and carers regarding the illness trajectory. Consequently the delivery of palliative care was viewed as a specialist role rather than an integral component of care. There is a need for education and training for health and social care professions to plan and provide high quality end-of-life care.     

Glycemic control and beyond: the ABCs of standards of care for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The phenomenal growth in the rate of type 2 diabetes presents an enormous burden to society. Diabetes and its complications cost billions and significantly impact quality of life in individuals with diabetes. Diabetes management has transitioned from focusing exclusively on glycemic control to an approach that addresses both glucose abnormalities and the chronic complications of the disease. Increased understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease and the multifactorial basis of diabetes complications suggest the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of all diabetes complications. Preventive approaches emphasizing risk factor reduction strategies are essential. The American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care for People with Diabetes assist both the health care provider and the individual with diabetes to appreciate the comprehensive treatment goals in diabetes and provide specific guidelines for achieving these goals. This article presents these guidelines in an easy-to-remember ABC format.     

The diabetes health care of Aboriginal people in South Australia (Part 1)

Although type 2 diabetes is a recognised health priority in South Australia, Aboriginal people with diabetes do not utilise the mainstream diabetes health services on a regular basis for health care. This means that Aboriginal clients have the potential to develop diabetes-related problems and, furthermore, are not in a position to make informed decisions about health care issues. This lack of client empowerment is contrary to the goals of contemporary diabetes health care and, as a result, Aboriginal clients suffer the consequences of ineffective management with a compromised lifestyle. To identify how this situation might be improved, a qualitative study funded by Diabetes Australia was undertaken in South Australia. The overall goal was, firstly, to identify the reasons why Aboriginal people with diabetes do not attend mainstream health agencies on a regular basis and secondly, if possible, to improve attendance. Thus, Aboriginal health professionals (n = 43) were recruited from the 8 statistical divisions of South Australia and interviewed about Aboriginal diabetes health care issues. In Part 1 of this series, the research findings indicated the beliefs and attitudes held by clients about diabetes, their lack of knowledge about management issues, their responses to diabetes, the effects of diabetes on their lifestyle and the strategies that diabetes health professionals used to help their clients deal with diabetes health issues. In Part 2 the research findings indicated the importance of the Aboriginal health worker to the successful diabetes management of Aboriginal clients, the constraints that affect the delivery of diabetes health care and the recommendations made by health professionals to improve the standard of diabetes health services.     

The diabetes health care of Aboriginal people in South Australia (Part 2)

Although type 2 diabetes is a recognised health priority in South Australia, Aboriginal people with diabetes do not utilise the mainstream diabetes health services on a regular basis for health care. This means that Aboriginal clients have the potential to develop diabetes-related problems and, furthermore, are not in a position to make informed decisions about health care issues. This lack of client empowerment is contrary to the goals of contemporary diabetes health care and, as a result, Aboriginal clients suffer the consequences of ineffective management with a compromised lifestyle. To identify how this situation might be improved, a qualitative study funded by Diabetes Australia was undertaken in South Australia. The overall goal was, firstly, to identify the reasons why Aboriginal people with diabetes do not attend mainstream health agencies on a regular basis and secondly, if possible, to improve attendance. Thus, Aboriginal health professionals (n = 43) were recruited from the 8 statistical divisions of South Australia and interviewed about Aboriginal diabetes health care issues. In Part 1 of this series, the research findings indicated the beliefs and attitudes held by clients about diabetes, their lack of knowledge about management issues, their responses to diabetes, the effects of diabetes on their lifestyle and the strategies that diabetes health professionals used to help their clients deal with diabetes health issues. In Part 2 the research findings indicated the importance of the Aboriginal health worker to the successful diabetes management of Aboriginal clients, the constraints that affect the delivery of diabetes health care and the recommendations made by health professionals to improve the standard of diabetes health services.     

Future directions in behavioral headache research: applications for an evolving health care environment

Three decades of research has produced effective behavioral treatments for migraine and tension-type headache, yet the full fruition of this research has not been realized. Further development and dissemination of behavioral treatments is needed to impact the large numbers of those with headache who potentially could benefit from these interventions. At the same time, an evolving health care environment challenges researchers and providers to employ greater efficiency and innovation in managing all chronic disorders. Hopefully, the recently published clinical trials guidelines for behavioral headache research will serve as a catalyst for production of quality empiricism that, in turn, will generate enhanced behavioral strategies and will optimize health care resource utilization. This article describes 10 areas of critical needs and research priorities for behavioral headache research, including: replication and extension of seminal studies using improved methodology; analysis of barriers to implementation of behavioral treatments; development of referral and treatment algorithms; behavioral compliance facilitation with medical interventions; development of a headache self-management model; integration of behavioral intervention within traditional medical practice; identification and management of comorbid psychopathology among headache patients; prevention of disease progression; analysis of behavioral therapeutic mechanisms, and development of innovative treatment formats and applications of information technologies.     

Evidence-based guidelines meet the real world: the case of diabetes care

OBJECTIVE: Improving diabetes care in the U.S. is critical because diabetes rates are increasing dramatically, particularly among minority and low-income populations. Although evidence-based practice guidelines for diabetes have been widely disseminated, many physicians fail to implement them. The objective of this study was to explore what happens to diabetes practice guidelines in real-world clinical settings. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative research design was used. Open-ended semistructured interviews lasting 1-2 h were conducted with 32 key informants (physicians, certified diabetes educators, researchers, and agency personnel) selected for their knowledge of diabetes care in South Texas, an area with a high diabetes prevalence and a large proportion of minority and low-income patients. RESULTS: Health professionals stress that contextual factors are more important barriers to optimal diabetes care than physician knowledge and attitudes. Barriers exist at multiple levels and are interrelated in a complex manner. Examples include the following: time constraints and practice economics in the private practice setting; the need to maintain referral relationships and maldistribution of professionals in the practice community; low awareness and low socioeconomic status among patients; and lack of access for low-income patients, low reimbursement, and insufficient focus on prevention in the U.S. health care system. CONCLUSIONS: Contextual barriers must be addressed in order for diabetes practice guidelines to be implemented in real-world clinical practice. Suggested changes include an increased focus on prevention, improvements in health care delivery for chronic diseases, and increased attention to the special needs of minority and low-income populations.     

Consumer-directed teaching of health care professionals involved in the care of people with spinal cord injury: the Consumer-Professional Partnership Program

The Consumer-Professional Partnership Program (CPPP) was developed to increase patient participation in the education of nurses and other health care professionals. Its goal is to inform nurses about disability and health issues from the perspective of people with spinal cord injury. This article discusses the development of this program and the first experiences with its implementation. Forty-three nursing professionals took part in CPPP training. Initial participant responses were positive, especially with regard to hearing from consumers about care preferences, barriers to care, and ways to improve patient-provider interaction.     

Challenges and solutions for care of frail older adults

Frail older adults are at risk for negative outcomes and are the most significant consumers of health resources across both acute and community settings. Both formal systems and families are involved in this care of frail elders. This article reviews health care issues for frail older adults and addresses the impact of frailty on the future health care system. It also presents challenges for future care, creative solutions that are currently being tested and explored, and suggestions for future nursing priorities. Challenges in the care of frail elders include: the organization and sustainability of the continuum of services, resource allocation, and cultural competence in service delivery. Creative solutions include intensive case management programs, targeting at risk older adults, partnerships with families, enhanced use of telemedicine and assistive technology, and promoting healthy aging. Nurses have the potential to improve elder health across settings through clinical practice, education, leadership, and research.     

Psychosocial and psychiatric challenges of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine disorder that places considerable psychologic stress on individuals and their families. This article discusses psychosocial issues associated with diabetes and its management, and common psychiatric disorders in diabetes population. Psychosocial challenges and psychiatric disorders in people with diabetes can hinder patients' successful diabetes self-management and well-being. An understanding of mental health issues in diabetes is critical for all health care professionals who provide treatment to people with diabetes.     

A daughter's journey promoting geriatric self-care: promoting positive health care interactions

Love for my parents leads me to promoting geriatric self-care. Methods of empowerment, identification of barriers and methods of overcoming them, and tools for the health care provider in promoting positive health care interactions is the focus of this article. When the older adult and the health care provider work together, the barrier of knowledge regarding chronic conditions is more likely to be overcome, allowing for the best alternatives in assessment, medication, treatment, and referral. Beginning with the material available from the National Institute of Aging (NIA) Web site, both the older adult and health care provider can promote positive health care interactions. Care and concern for the older adult is needed by all in the health care field. We are the older adults of tomorrow.     

Improving diabetes care in midwest community health centers with the health disparities collaborative

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Diabetes Health Disparities Collaborative, an initiative by the Bureau of Primary Health Care to reduce health disparities and improve the quality of diabetes care in community health centers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: One year before- after trial. Beginning in 1998, 19 Midwestern health centers undertook a diabetes quality improvement initiative based on a model including rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles from the continuous quality improvement field; a Chronic Care Model emphasizing patient self-management, delivery system redesign, decision support, clinical information systems, leadership, health system organization, and community outreach; and collaborative learning sessions. We reviewed charts of 969 random adults for American Diabetes Association standards, surveyed 79 diabetes quality improvement team members, and performed qualitative interviews. RESULTS: The performance of several key processes of care assessed by chart review increased, including rates of HbA(1c) measurement (80-90%; adjusted odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.8), eye examination referral (36-47%; 1.6, 1.1-2.3), foot examination (40-64%; 2.7, 1.8-4.1), and lipid assessment (55-66%; 1.6, 1.1-2.3). Mean value of HbA(1c) tended to improve (8.5-8.3%; difference -0.2, 95% CI -0.4 to 0.03). Over 90% of survey respondents stated that the Diabetes Collaborative was worth the effort and was successful. Major challenges included needing more time and resources, initial difficulty developing computerized patient registries, team and staff turnover, and occasional need for more support by senior management. CONCLUSIONS: The Health Disparities Collaborative improved diabetes care in health centers in 1 year.     

Connected health care: the future of health care and the role of the pharmacist

The population of the world is ageing. As a result, the incidence of chronic disease is projected to increase, there are predicted shortages in health care workforce and budget restraints; implications for future health care provision are serious. The current model of health care is not equipped to deal with these changes. Connected health care, via the use of health informatics, disease management and home telehealth technologies, has been suggested as an approach to ease the projected strain on future health care. Evidence to date suggests a positive impact of the use of connected health care model; however, the majority of studies have overlooked the involvement of the community pharmacist. As the most common point of contact with primary health services for most of the population, the community pharmacist may be well placed to provide connected health care. The research to date is promising with improvements in outcomes for cardiovascular patients noted; however, further work is required to investigate the potential role the community pharmacist can play in the future of connected health care.     

Setting standards for diabetes care

This article explores the NICE Diabetes in Adults Quality Standard document published this year. The document outlines 13 areas of care that should be commissioned to ensure people with diabetes have access to services that provide quality care. The article also looks at whether diabetes care delivery has met otherte diabetes standards.     

Illicit drug use as a challenge to the delivery of end-of-life care services to homeless persons: perceptions of health and social services professionals

Homeless persons tend to die younger than the housed population and have complex, often unmet, end-of-life care needs. High levels of illicit drug use among this population are a particular challenge for health and social services professionals involved in end-of-life care services delivery. This article explores the challenges of end-of-life care services to homeless illicit drug users based on data collected during a national study on end-of-life care services delivery to homeless persons in Canada. The authors conducted qualitative interviews with 50 health and social services professionals involved in health services delivery to homeless persons in five cities. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Themes were organised into two domains. First, barriers preventing homeless illicit drug users from accessing end-of-life care services, such as competing priorities (e.g. withdrawal management), lack of trust in healthcare providers and discrimination. Second, challenges to end-of-life care services delivery to this population in health and social care settings, including non-disclosure of illicit drug use, pain and symptom management, interruptions in care, and lack of experience with addictions. The authors identify a need for increased research on the role of harm reduction in end-of-life care settings to address these challenges.     

Health care and patient-reported outcomes: results of the cross-national Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN) study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of patients' self-reported well-being, self-management, and diabetes control with factors related to the patient's health care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of national samples of patients with diabetes (n = 5,104) from the multinational study of Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN). Patients from 13 countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America reported their level of well-being, self-management, and diabetes control. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (blocks are countries, respondent characteristics, and health care features) was used to examine predictors of diabetes-related distress and general well-being, adherence to lifestyle and medical treatment recommendations, and perceived diabetes control and hyperglycemic symptoms. RESULTS: Country, respondent demographic and disease characteristics, and health care features were all associated with patient-reported outcomes. Better patient-provider collaboration was associated with more favorable ratings on all outcomes, and better access to the provider and availability of team care were associated with some positive outcomes. Country differences were only partly accounted for by patient and health care factors. Relationships between health care factors and outcomes varied across countries. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' reports of well-being, self-management, and diabetes control were related to the countries in which they live, their demographic and disease characteristics, and features of their health care. Opportunities to enhance patient-provider collaboration, access to care, and availability of team care should be pursued.     

An Expanded Paradigm of Primary Care Diabetes Chronic Disease Management

The ability to address the comprehensive needs of diabetes chronic disease management is seriously challenged by staffing and time constraints within primary care visits. The purpose of this article is to outline the evidence for the use of community referrals to diabetes education, medical nutrition therapy, and mental health care providers. These referrals can expand the reach of achievable diabetes chronic care management to mitigate barriers to care and to improve outcomes. There is a strong evidence base to support these referrals, as well as the added benefits of patient safety and satisfaction, and decrease constraints on the workflow of busy primary care practices.     

Diabetes management. The importance of patient education and participation

Since its establishment in 1967, the International Diabetes Center, Minneapolis, has broadened its interest in patient education from an active concern to a worldwide effort. In addition to providing formal educational programs for diabetics and their families, the Center has trained thousands of health professionals, many of whom have returned to their own clinics, hospitals, and other facilities to initiate similar programs. In 1984, building on its long history of consulting with health care provider organizations in the development of diabetes education programs, the International Diabetes Center initiated a systems development program. Under this program, the Center works with selected hospitals and clinics to develop a national network of sophisticated, integrated diabetes management centers. These Affiliates work with the Center to develop education, clinical care, and research programs that mirror those at the Center.