Title
Opportunities and challenges for diabetes prevention at two community health centers
PubMed ID
17989311
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
Date
2-9-2008
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Adult; *Community Health Centers; Delivery of Health Care; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Documentation; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; *Health Promotion; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Language; Medical Audit; Medical Records; Patient Education as Topic; Patient Selection; Teaching
Disciplines
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities | Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Translating evidence-based diabetes prevention interventions to disadvantaged groups is a public health priority that poses unique challenges. Community health centers (CHCs) provide unequaled opportunities to prevent diabetes among poor and minority high-risk groups. This formative study sought to assess structural, processes-of-care (health care quality domains), and patient factors that need to be considered for diabetes prevention at CHCs.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A multimethod approach was implemented to assess system-, provider-, and patient-level factors at two large CHCs serving diverse urban communities.
RESULTS: Medical chart audits (n = 303) showed limited documentation of risks. Provider surveys (n = 74) evidenced knowledge gaps regarding factors associated with increased diabetes risk, efficacy of pharmacological interventions, and low perceived efficacy in promoting patient behavior change. Patient focus groups (two groups) with at-risk Hispanics and African Americans suggested mixed knowledge regarding whether diabetes can be prevented, some knowledge gaps regarding factors related to risk, and multiple challenges for lifestyle change.
CONCLUSIONS: Multiple and multilevel challenges to translating diabetes prevention interventions for the benefit of at-risk populations who seek care at CHCs were observed.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Diabetes Care. 2008 Feb;31(2):247-54. Epub 2007 Nov 5. Link to article on publisher's site