Evaluating Patient Engagement and Other Outcomes for Ethnically Diverse Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Participating in a Structured, Physician Supported, Patient-centered Diabetes Education Program

Diabetes is a chronic and a progressive metabolic disorder which necessitates active patient involvement to effectively manage nutrition, physical activity, and medication for optimal outcomes. Self-management is a critical aspect of diabetes care and a variety of studies have established the need for people with diabetes to be knowledgeable about their condition and be actively involved in its management to effectively reduce the risk of future health complications and improve other outcomes. Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) can help patients effectively engage in and perform their diabetes-related self-care activities. However, only a small number of patients with diabetes participate in DSMES. A few studies in this area have highlighted both physician and patient-related factors that could affect the receipt of DSMES. Patients' involvement in a DSMES program continues to be largely prompted by a physician referral and it has been suggested that improving physician involvement in the DSMES process could enhance overall patient engagement and adherence to such programs.

As part of the proposed mixed methods study, in Phase 1, in-depth surveys (or interviews) will be undertaken with: (a) physicians caring for people with type 2 diabetes, (b) DSMES providers (e.g., certified diabetes educators, diabetes nurses, dietitians), and (b) patients with type 2 diabetes regarding their perception of diabetes education programs, barriers, and facilitators to engagement. Findings from Phase 1 will be shared with the education team at a diabetes center in a community hospital in Orange County, California to inform changes to their currently existing diabetes education curriculum to make it more patient-centered and improve physician engagement and support. As part of Phase 2, the newly developed program will be implemented with a diverse cohort of 90 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patient participation (attendance) in the DSMES process will be documented as a primary marker of patient engagement while their clinical and psycho-social outcomes will serve as secondary indicators. Among other outcomes, physician, educator, and patient satisfaction with the newly developed referral process will also be assessed as a measure of intervention acceptability and success.