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Simulated physician learning program improves glucose control in adults with diabetes
JoAnn M Sperl-Hillen1, Patrick J O'Connor, William A Rush
1HealthPartners Research Foundation and HealthPartners Medical Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. joann.m.sperlhillen@healthpartners.com
Diabetes Care
|July 30, 2010
Summary
A simulated learning program for primary care physicians (PCPs) modestly improved glucose control in type 2 diabetes patients. This cost-effective intervention enhanced A1C levels without increasing healthcare expenses.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Primary Care Medicine
- Diabetes Management
Background:
- Delivering effective medical education to primary care physicians (PCPs) requires inexpensive and standardized methods.
- Improving diabetes care in primary care settings is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of an individualized simulated learning intervention on diabetes care provided by PCPs.
- To evaluate changes in glycemic control, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol in patients managed by PCPs receiving the intervention.
Main Methods:
- A cluster randomized trial involving 11 clinics and 41 PCPs.
- Intervention group PCPs completed 12 simulated type 2 diabetes cases.
- Patient outcomes (A1C, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol) were assessed pre- and post-intervention using general linear mixed models.
Main Results:
- Patients in the intervention group with baseline A1C >or=7% showed a significant improvement in glycemic control (-0.19% mean A1C, P = 0.034).
- Goal achievement for A1C <7% increased by 6.7% (P = 0.0099) in the intervention group.
- Healthcare costs trended lower, and blood pressure or LDL control did not significantly improve.
Conclusions:
- A brief, individualized, case-based simulated learning intervention for PCPs can lead to modest but significant improvements in glucose control for adults with type 2 diabetes.
- The intervention was cost-effective and did not increase healthcare costs.
- PCPs reported high satisfaction with the simulated learning experience.
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