New Publications Feature CPSTF Recommendation and Systematic Review Evidence for Team-Based Care to Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Two articles in the July 2019 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine feature the CPSTF recommendation and systematic review evidence for team-based care to control type 2 diabetes.
Community Preventive Services Task Force. Team-based care to improve type 2 diabetes management: recommendation of the Community Preventive Services Task Force [PDF – 141 kB]. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2019;57(1):e27-9.
Levengood TW, Peng Y, Xiong KZ, Song Z, Elder R, et al. Team-based care to improve diabetes management: a Community Guide meta-analysis [PDF – 892 kB]. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2019;57(1):e17-26.
Evidence shows team-based care improves patients’ blood glucose (measured using A1c levels), blood pressure, and lipid levels. Interventions also increase the proportion of patients who reach target blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels.
What are Team-Based Care Interventions?
Team-based care to improve diabetes control is a health systems-level, organizational intervention that assigns a multidisciplinary team to help patients manage their diabetes. Each team includes the patient, the patient’s primary care provider (not necessarily a physician), and one or more other health professionals.
Teams work together to help patients
- Get appropriate medical tests and examinations (e.g., blood glucose level, blood pressure, lipid level, weight, eye and foot examinations).
- Use medications to manage and control risk factors (e.g., blood glucose level, blood pressure, lipid level).
- Self-manage their health care and adhere to treatment.
- Make healthy behavior and lifestyle choices (e.g., improved diet, increased physical activity, cessation of smoking).
- Improve their quality of life and prevent diabetes-related complications.
In order to form a team, most of the studies included in the review added a nurse or pharmacist to the patient-primary care provider relationship. Team members interacted with patients face-to-face, remotely (e.g. telephone, email), or both in-person and remotely. Studies showed that patients experienced greater reductions in blood glucose levels when services such as education, counseling, and follow-up were delivered both in-person and remotely.