Improving Diabetes Management in Vulnerable Populations: A Quality Improvement Project.
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic medical condition with profound impacts on the people who experience it and the healthcare system. Glycemic control is paramount for preventing costly complications, morbidity, and mortality; however, this has been elusive, especially in underserved populations. Data from national, state, and local agencies confirm that glycemic control is below target, especially among vulnerable populations. Self-care behaviors are a critical component of management, and many studies have shown success with various educational programs; however, gaps still exist. This project aimed to use a diabetes education and technology bundle intervention developed and administered with the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework to reduce weekly self-monitored blood glucose, increase weekly minutes of exercise, reduce intake of nutrient-poor, calorie-dense foods, increase knowledge of diabetes self-care behaviors, and increase satisfaction with care in under-resourced adults with T2DM in a primary care clinic in North Texas. The project was conducted within an eight-week timeframe and found a statistically significant reduction in weekly self-monitored blood glucose and diabetes self-care knowledge using paired t-test analysis. This project proved that vulnerable persons with T2DM can improve glycemic control with practical, low-cost resources if they have relevant and meaningful support.