J Multidiscip Healthc. 2012;5:241-8. doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S35489. Epub 2012 Sep 27.

Program evaluation of Sea Mar's Chronic Care Program for Latino and Caucasian patients with type 2 diabetes: providers and staff perspectives.

Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare

Gail E Bond, Laurie Rechholtz, Christina Bosa, Celine Impert, Sara Barker

PMID: 23055743 PMCID: PMC3468164 DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S35489

Abstract

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Unprecedented consumption of health care resources in the USA coupled with increasing rates of chronic disease has fueled pursuit of improved models of health care delivery. The Chronic Care Model provides an organizational framework for chronic care management and practice improvement. Sea Mar, a community health care organization in Washington state, implemented the Chronic Care Model, but has not evaluated the outcomes related to provider and staff satisfaction. The specific aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Chronic Care Model with the addition of the Chronic Care Coordinator role.

APPROACH: A descriptive method was used, which incorporated quantitative, and qualitative data from providers and clinic staff collected through a Web-based survey consisting of Likert-type questions sent via an electronic link.

RESULTS: This evaluation identified the strengths of and barriers to the chronic care model with a focus on provider and staff satisfaction regarding patient care since the addition of the Chronic Care Coordinator role. We found a high appreciation (94%) and acceptance of the role; 80% agreed that the Chronic Care Coordinator was well-integrated into clinic operations. Major strengths of the program included more patient education, better follow-up, and improved team communications. Barriers to success included limited provider access, confusion regarding role expectations of the Chronic Care Coordinator, inconsistent communications, and Chronic Care Coordinator turnover.

CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: Our findings help to validate the importance of community health organizations such as Sea Mar, the utility of the chronic care model, and the potential value for specific roles such as the Chronic Care Coordinator to positively impact quality of care by helping to empower patients to improve self-management and ultimately impact patient outcomes. However, future studies involving larger samples are needed to further explore themes among staff and patients.

Keywords: Care Coordinator; case manager; chronic care model; program evaluation; type 2 diabetes

References

1. Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 Jan-Feb;28(1):75-85 - PubMed
2. Qual Saf Health Care. 2004 Aug;13(4):299-305 - PubMed
3. JAMA. 2002 Oct 16;288(15):1909-14 - PubMed
4. Health Serv Res. 2002 Jun;37(3):791-820 - PubMed
5. Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 Jan-Feb;28(1):64-74 - PubMed
6. Health Serv Res. 2007 Dec;42(6 Pt 1):2174-93; discussion 2294-323 - PubMed
7. Dis Manag. 2005 Apr;8(2):114-34 - PubMed
8. Diabetes Educ. 2005 Mar-Apr;31(2):225-34 - PubMed
9. JAMA. 2002 Oct 9;288(14):1775-9 - PubMed
10. Ann Fam Med. 2006 Jul-Aug;4(4):317-26 - PubMed
11. Eff Clin Pract. 2001 Nov-Dec;4(6):278-80 - PubMed
12. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11 Suppl 1:S7-15 - PubMed

Publication Types

• Journal Article

Grant support

• UL1 RR025014/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States
• UL1 TR002319/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States