Tailoring diabetes education services to optimize outcomes

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted to describe factors associated with the use of diabetes education resources by adult patients with type 2 diabetes who receive care at a community health center located near the US-Mexico border. Participants received diabetes education that was customized at each site. The diabetes educator was found to be a critical link between the clinicians and the promotoras who serve as the interface between the health care system and patients.

The importance of involving providers and staff from community health center sites in the research from the beginning was critical to the success of the project. It was also found that research personnel working with promotoras must have expertise in facilitating groups and developing capacity within communities.

Diabetes educators as links between clinical staff and community health workers need a clinical background as well as expertise in diabetes education. Developing innovative ways to extend decision-support and specialized expertise to promotoras is necessary. Policy issues and implications will be discussed.