Diabetic Patient Care: Tips for Providers

Titled “Redesigning Primary Care to Improve Diabetes Outcomes (the UNITED Study)”, the article advocates for improvements or rather redesigning primary care delivery systems to for a better patient outcome. At its core, patient-centered medical home involves a practice where the primary care physician ensures the diabetic patient receives care when they need it. As such, for redesigning of primary care to be effective, physicians have to understand the components of the delivery system when consistently addressed will improve patient outcome. The study involved more than 30 diabetic patients in Minnesota in 2017. Scholars involved in the study advocate for the promotion of SysCMs that most effectively improve clinical outcomes among patients with diabetes (Peterson et al., 2020).Findings of the study reveal that there are three primary SysCMs which include decision making, risk assessment reminders, and checklist for monitoring of diabetes, all of which are consistently associated with improved delivery care systems and sequentially better patient outcome. 

In addition to the challenge of primary care settings, the diabetic patient, particularly 65 years or older have complications with their finances which affects their care. Often, they may forget to eat, or even could be unable to afford medications. The patient also has a risk of changing taste and disinterest which could inhibit them from observing their diet as required by the primary health physician. Notably, glycemic levels and goals of the patient vary from others. According to the American Diabetes Association most of the older patients are beneficiaries of primary care and their glycemic targets should be comparable to that of younger adults. For improved outcomes, primary care physicians must weigh the risks the patient stands if they were to choose between hypoglycemia and tighter glycemic control. 

Reference 

Peterson, K. A., Carlin, C., Solberg, L. I., Jacobsen, R., Kriel, T., & Eder, M. (2020). Redesigning Primary Care to Improve Diabetes Outcomes (the UNITED Study).  Diabetes care ,  43 (3), 549-555. Retrieved from https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/43/3/549