Outcomes in an Interdisciplinary Diabetes Clinic in Rural Primary Care

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary diabetes team model of care in assisting patients to achieve improved glucose control in a primary care rural setting.

A family medicine clinic at a rural university medical center developed an interdisciplinary diabetes team clinic composed of a certified diabetes educator/dietitian, a case manager, a pharmacist, nursing staff, a family medicine resident, a psychologist, and a board-certified family medicine attending physician. Patients were referred if their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was ≥9% (75 mmol/mol); patients were seen for an initial consultation and for additional visits as needed.

A total of 94 patients attended an initial visit and at least 1 follow-up within 6 months. Mean age was 57 ± 13 years, and 54% were female. Median time from the initial intensive diabetes clinic visit to a follow-up visit was 2.8 months. There was a significant reduction in median HbA1c percentage from 10.25% (88.5 mmol/mol) ± 1.4% (range 73-104 mmol/mol) at the initial intensive diabetes clinic visit to 8.7% (72 mmol/mol) ± 1.8% (range 52-92 mmol/mol) at a 1- to 6-month follow-up (z = -7.161, P < 0.001) and a significant difference between baseline HbA1c (10.25% [88.5 mmol/mol] ± 1.4% [range 73-104 mmol/mol]) and latest HBA1c (1-18 months later) 8.4% (68 mmol/mol) ± 2.2% (range 44-92 mmol/mol; z = -7.022, P < 0.001). Overall, 86% of patients had a lower HbA1c at follow-up, and 33% had an HbA1c <8% (64 mmol/mol). There were no differences in patients' blood pressure, immunization rates, or lipid values between baseline and follow-up visits (P > 0.05).

An interdisciplinary team approach to glycemic control can achieve significant reductions in HbA1c in the rural primary care setting.