Date of Award

2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Thesis

Department

Pharmacy

First Advisor

Suneeta Kercood

Abstract

Introduction: Although group Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) programs have been attempted throughout Community Health Network, no evaluation of the programs had been conducted.

Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate attendance, patient satisfaction and change in disease state knowledge following participation in six sessions of a group DSMES program led by a multidisciplinary team. The secondary objective was to evaluate clinical outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective, observational study focused on process improvement evaluating a standardized approach to a group DSMES program beginning in August 2017 within Community Health Network. Eleven courses ran six sessions lasting approximately 1.5 hours that occurred weekly or every other week. Patients with a history of Type 2 diabetes who had a primary care provider within Community Health Network were invited to participate. Attendance and clinical outcomes were evaluated by a retrospective chart review of the electronic medical record. Evaluation of the program, both patient satisfaction and knowledge, occurred through the voluntary completion of various paper surveys throughout the program.

Results: To date, eleven clinic sites have completed a group DSMES program totaling 89 patient participants. Program attendance was evaluated to determine what topics, days, times, and clinic sites would allow future programs to reach the most patients. 47 patients (52.8%) were able to attend four or more of the six sessions; 14 patients (15.7%) attended all six sessions. Responses from the patient satisfaction surveys indicated that patients approved of the speakers well over 90 percent of the time, patients “Strongly Agree” in favor of the sessions at a rate of 88.5% (3.54/4), and patients favored topics focusing on nutrition. Knowledge-based surveys showed an average score increase of 8.3%. Frequently missed topics included goal fasting and fed blood sugar levels. Patients showed mastery of concepts related to the definition of diabetes as well as frequency of immunizations, eye exams, and hemoglobin A1c monitoring. The average reduction of hemoglobin A1c was 0.58% overall. Patients that attended all six sessions saw an average decrease of 0.96%. Patients lost an average of 0.9 kilograms. Systolic blood pressure average dropped by 2mmHg.

Conclusion: Following participation in the group DSMES program patients were satisfied with their care while increasing their disease state knowledge leading to an improvement in hemoglobin A1c. The results observed from the review of this DSMES program supports its continued use and expansion throughout Community Health Network.

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