How to Create a Telephone Follow-Up Program to Improve Glycemic Control in Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetic African-American Women.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and this disease disproportionately affects African-Americans and other minorities. Diabetes self-management education has been shown through research to help patients achieve at-goal HgbA1c levels leading to a decrease in complications; however, patients do not attend these classes as much as they should. The creation of a telephone follow-up plan can be an option to improve glycemic control for the primary care clinician caring for uncontrolled Type 2 diabetic African-American females. The culturally sensitive content in the follow-up plan should focus on better nutrition management, increasing physical activity, and consistent glucose monitoring with increased skill in management of results. This telephone follow-up program is intended to help clinicians assist this population of patients to identify potential barriers using culturally sensitive content as a method of connecting with patients to help them achieve at-goal HgbA1c levels.