Patient and Provider Perspectives of Community-Based Diabetes Health Promoter-Led Intervention (2013)
Undergraduates: Madhulika Vulimiri, Ashley Collinsworth Christine Snead, James Walton
Faculty Advisor: Morris Weinberger
Department: Health Policy & Management
Background: Community health workers represent a growing health care workforce with potential to improve diabetes management. The Diabetes Equity Project (DEP) in Baylor Health Care System employs bilingual Diabetes Health Promoters (DHPs) to provide diabetes education, nutritional counseling, and social support. The goal of this study was to better understand patient & provider perceptions of how DHPs enhance delivery of care for diabetes patients.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with DEP patients (N=12) & providers (N=8).
Results: DEP patients & providers reported that DHPs had key roles in various aspects of diabetes & self-management education. Patient priorities include collaborative care, nonjudgmental support, & having the DHP as a safety net. Provider priorities include direct communication, assessing patient barriers, & providing follow-up care. DHP best practices include coordinating appointments, encouraging family members to attend visits, & reinforcing concepts with patients.
Conclusions: There is consensus that DHPs are valuable clinical team members who serve as educators, counselors, & navigators in patients’ diabetes management. Providers viewed DHPs as bridging cultural gaps & filling a unique niche in coordinating care for underserved patients. DHP-delivered diabetes management shows promise in improving quality of care for patients. Wide-scale implementation of DHP model will require further evidence of DHP effectiveness & physician acceptance.