Project DIRECT, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is designed to create and test effective strategies for decreasing the burden of diabetes in an African-American population in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since the target population includes African Americans within a specific census tract area, innovative strategies were required to identify providers serving the individuals in the target region. To this end, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to verify the appropriate set of health care providers to participate in the Project DIRECT intervention activities. Intervention strategies included providers and other office staff, with particular emphasis on creating system-level changes.
The methodology for identifying a target set of providers will be described in this presentation. In addition, practical methods for obtaining and maintaining provider cooperation and creating sustained quality improvement in practices over time will be discussed. Analysis of follow-up data indicating statistically significant improvement in 18 specific practice areas over a three-year period will be presented as evidence for the success of this approach.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of thie session, participants in this session will be able to: 1. Describe a methodology to identify health care providers serving a census tract area embedded within a larger community. 2. Articulate approaches for obtaining and maintain provider cooperation in a quality improvement iniative. 3. Describe components necessary to facilitate initiatives to create improvements in the quality of care by providers
Keywords: Diabetes, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Project DIRECT
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I receive a salary through a grant from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Diabetes Prevention and Control Program/Project DIRECT.