Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care

Joseph R. Herges; John C. Matulis; Maya E. Kessler; Lisa L. Ruehmann; Kristin C. Mara; Rozalina G. McCoy

doi:10.1370/afm.2884

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RE: Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care
Kaya D Sparrow

Published on: 01 March 2023

Published on: (1 March 2023)
Page navigation anchor for RE: Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care
RE: Evaluation of an Enhanced Primary Care Team Model to Improve Diabetes Care
Kaya D Sparrow, Undergraduate, The Ohio State University
As three undergraduates who have family members and friends struggling with diabetes, and our observation of the ever-increasing societal prevalence of type 2 diabetes, we are interested in learning more about the Enhanced Primary Care Diabetes (EPCD) model. First, we appreciate that the EPCD model differs from other nurse-led primary care models by also allowing nurses to have autonomy in communicating with other health professionals in their team environment. This EPCD model component ultimately allows nurses to be the main client-facing member of the team while still giving comprehensive multi-member input towards the care of diabetic patients.

The second key finding we found incredibly impactful was use of D5 indicators and using an algorithmic-like process in helping diabetes patients to successfully meet all D5 indicator metrics. The EPCD model has demonstrated that all D5 indicators are interconnected and must be considered in long-term diabetes management. By combining the nurse-led approach with the D5 indicators, the EPCD model has become a successful and economically viable model that can be implemented in medical care teams around the country by integrated directly into existing healthcare teams.

With the success of the D5 indicators, we are interested in whether there are possibly more potential indicators that could be used to further increase the likelihood of successful diabetes treatment? For example, there are additional factors that contri...
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As three undergraduates who have family members and friends struggling with diabetes, and our observation of the ever-increasing societal prevalence of type 2 diabetes, we are interested in learning more about the Enhanced Primary Care Diabetes (EPCD) model. First, we appreciate that the EPCD model differs from other nurse-led primary care models by also allowing nurses to have autonomy in communicating with other health professionals in their team environment. This EPCD model component ultimately allows nurses to be the main client-facing member of the team while still giving comprehensive multi-member input towards the care of diabetic patients.

The second key finding we found incredibly impactful was use of D5 indicators and using an algorithmic-like process in helping diabetes patients to successfully meet all D5 indicator metrics. The EPCD model has demonstrated that all D5 indicators are interconnected and must be considered in long-term diabetes management. By combining the nurse-led approach with the D5 indicators, the EPCD model has become a successful and economically viable model that can be implemented in medical care teams around the country by integrated directly into existing healthcare teams.

With the success of the D5 indicators, we are interested in whether there are possibly more potential indicators that could be used to further increase the likelihood of successful diabetes treatment? For example, there are additional factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes control outside of the D5 indicators. Additional indicators that could be explored include weight control, physical activity levels, and family history of the D5 indicators. We are interested in whether there may be additional indicators that could further improve upon tracking of diabetes severity and its successful treatment in the future.
We are also curious as to whether D5 indicators, and the EPCD model, could be implemented in treating other chronic conditions such as hypertension. Perhaps mirroring the EPCD model and the utilization of these indicators could help combat many different chronic diseases across diverse patient populations?
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Competing Interests: None declared.