Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes that diabetes mellitus is a complex disease that requires a team-based treatment approach to meet the specific needs of each patient. Emphasis has been placed on the importance of both clinical and social support for the overall management of the disease, and with an increasing number of patient's diagnosed with diabetes each year, the need for such services will continue to rise. The purpose of this project is to identify the barriers that cause the underutilization of team-based services for the management of type II diabetes mellitus among our nation's Veterans.
Methods: The quality improvement study will be performed utilizing a patient questionnaire to assess four key factors: patient perception of illness, perception of specialty services, awareness of specialty services, and preferences for utilizing the services. The electronic medical record will be utilized to identify patients with a diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus with have an A1c>9% who have not been seen in clinic by at least two of the following: clinical pharmacist, certified diabetes educator, registered dietitian, and/or clinical psychologist. The questionnaire will be delivered via phone, and data will be recorded without patient identifiers to maintain confidentiality. Results will be analyzed to determine how each of the key factors affect utilization of services, with an aim to implement necessary changes to improve the utilization of services.
Results: N/A
Conclusion: N/A
Karlette Stewart
– PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident, Tuscaloosa Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL128 Views