Jeri J. Sias

EXPANSION of diabetes education in a United States–Mexico border community (Expanding Services for Patients to Acquire New Skills, Set Goals, and Improve Overall Knowledge)

OBJECTIVES To describe the process used by a pharmacy team at a community health center to coordinate and expand diabetes education services (English and Spanish) for a predominantly Hispanic, Spanish-speaking population. SETTING The project was implemented at 2 clinics in a federally qualified community health center system based in a low-income southwest U.S.-Mexico border community. PRACTICE INNOVATION This project enhanced accessibility to diabetes education to improve knowledge, skills, and goal setting through existing pharmacy services at the primary clinic and 1 rural satellite clinic. EVALUATION The success of the project was evaluated quantitatively. Metrics used to evaluate enhancement of existing practices included enrollment and completion rates, number of sessions, and diabetes leadership meetings. RESULTS Over the 5-month project period assessed, 7 interdisciplinary professionals were certified as Diabetes Empowerment Education Program educators. Four sessions were conducted at both clinics. A total of 31 participants completed the diabetes classes. An educational attainment of 8th grade or less was reported in 91% of the rural participants compared with 50% of the urban participants. Ten interdisciplinary leadership meetings centered on recruitment, progress toward goals, and action items to ensure quality of classes. A nurse practitioner and pharmacist piloted a shared-visit model with 5 patients during a 45-minute time period. CONCLUSION Successful diabetes education services occurred by implementing an evidence-based curriculum, identifying provider champions, increasing patient enrollment through provider referrals, and generating reports. Patient accountability was facilitated by setting patient-centered goals for knowledge and skills. Last, support groups provided ongoing support once patients graduated from a structured diabetes program.