Starting a Diabetes Self-Management Program in a Free Clinic
Abstract
Nilda I.Soto MD Open Door Health Center, Homestead, Florida, nsoto@opendoorhc.org Laura R.Bazyler MS, RD, LDN Open Door Health Center, Homestead, Florida Mary L.O'Toole PhD National Program Office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Diabetes Initiative, St Louis, Missouri Carol A.Brownson MSPH National Program Office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Diabetes Initiative, St Louis, Missouri John C.Pezzullo PhD Georgetown University, Washington, DC Purpose The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a system of care for people with type 2 diabetes in a free clinic setting. Methods This project was conducted in the Homestead/Florida City community at the Open Door Health Center (a free clinic for the uninsured poor). Through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® Diabetes Initiative, organiza- tional and programmatic changes were made to improve care for patients with type 2 diabetes. Program participa- tion and clinical data, incorporation of healthy practices and programs in other community organizations, and the success of collaborations were evaluated to judge program success. Results Critical factors for providing health care for persons with type 2 diabetes in a free clinic setting were identi- fied. These included reviewing and organizing medical records of patients with diabetes, developing