August 2009
e-Spotlight: Center Roll Call
An innovative and effective way to treat diabetes is now underway at Erie Family Health Center’s West Town location. The program, TuDiabetes, utilizes a unique group-based medical approach. Patients meet together monthly and participate in group education sessions lead by a multidisciplinary team, as well as individual medical visits with a medical provider. This program takes a different approach in addressing the ever-growing diabetes epidemic in the United States, specifically on Chicago’s west side. Ana Cesan, the Diabetes Care Coordinator at Erie Family Health, says, “it incorporates social support and problem solving skills in an environment more conducive to dealing with the complex psychosocial and medical issues involving diabetes.”
TuDiabetes was originally piloted at Erie Humboldt Park Health Center, a neighborhood with a 30% higher rate of diabetes-related deaths than in Chicago. Also, 14% of the residents in Humboldt Park have diabetes compared to 5% of all Chicago residents. In response to these alarming statistics, Erie decided to use a group-based program to help combat and treat diabetes on the west side of Chicago. According to Cesan, “group medical appointments have emerged as a key strategy in combating this disease.” After extensive literature reviews, presentations and proposals to both providers and senior management, the program was implemented and piloted in January 2009. The program at Erie Humboldt Park proved to be a success; and in September 2009 it will be expanded to a second site, Erie West Town Health Center, to reach even more patients.
Cesan sees TuDiabetes as “a vessel for decreasing medical costs while maintaining quality of care.” Participants of the program meet monthly with educational and clinical sessions taking place every other month. The educational session involves a diabetes health educator, an AmeriCorps educator, a program facilitator and guest presenters. Participants discuss topics related to the ups and downs of living with diabetes (physical activity, nutrition, blood glucose screening) along with goal setting and problem solving. During the clinical sessions, patients meet privately with their medical provider and undergo medical evaluations, medication adjustments and the coordination of specialty services.
TuDiabetes is a program where patients can receive continuing medical care from their provider, in addition to comprehensive education and peer support so they can learn innovative ways to live a more full and comfortable life from their peers, medical provider, and the rest of the TuDiabetes team. Cesan credits patient compliance and satisfaction as being TuDiabetes two greatest successes. “Patients have brought family members to the group as well as spread the word about TuDiabetes throughout the community.” Although diabetes is a very complex and challenging disease to live with, TuDiabetes has proven to help ease the burden for patients and allow them to have greater control over their own bodies and lives. “The goal is to empower patients to take control of their diabetes and live healthy, active lifestyles” says Cesan. “The hope is that participants will take this knowledge back to their community to motivate and inspire others to take control.”