Improving Diabetes Care for African Americans

Effective solutions are needed to address the parallel persistence of a quality chasm and racial disparities in diabetes care. Many large health care systems are adopting components of the Chronic Care Model to achieve substantial gains in diabetes care, though few health systems have successfully incorporated elements specific to minority health. We have previously identified racial disparities in key diabetes outcomes measures within an integrated health care delivery system, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (HVMA). This project will use a randomized, controlled study design within HVMA to evaluate whether enhancements to the Chronic Care Model can produce significant improvement in the quality of diabetes care for black patients. Intervention clinicians will receive monthly panel-level disparities report cards, health navigation training, and cultural competency training, while control clinicians will function within the context of the generic Chronic Care Model. The study will occur over a 12 month period and involve 4,000 white patients and 2,500 black patients with diabetes receiving care at 8 health centers. The primary outcomes will include rates of glucose (HbA1c <7.0), LDL cholesterol (<100 mg/dL), and blood pressure (<130/80) control. We will use patient focus groups to identify significant barriers to care and guide health navigation training. We will survey clinicians pre- and post intervention to assess the effect of the intervention on knowledge and attitudes towards disparities. Patient experiences will be assessed pre- and post-intervention using a validated instrument to determine whether the intervention can reduce existing racial disparities in patient reports of quality. We will perform a cost analysis related to the intervention using a health system perspective. In summary, this project will provide health systems with a rigorous analysis of a defined set of tools to improve diabetes care for minority populations.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (based on fasting glucose, HbA1c, and problem list)
• At least 18 years old
• At least one face-to-face visit with Harvard Vanguard primary care clinician in the last 2 years

Exclusion criteria

• Any patient not categorized as either White or Black based on race identifier in the electronic medical record