In order to complete the DSME Program, a participant must have an initial visit, complete 4 classes and the 3 month follow-up.  The number of initial appointments impacted the ability to have 3 month classes, as an educator left during 2020 and another one left during 2021.  In addition, Covid impacted the ability to have group education classes, so many classes prior to the 3 month follow-up were done individually, which allowed less time for 3 month up classes.

Another factor that may have contributed to the decline in 2020-2021 was that one of the referring physicians left in 2021.  He was no longer there to hold his patients accountable for program completion. 

It is important to note that in some cases, the patients who start in one calendar year complete the program in the subsequent year. 

PCHD Diabetes Team

Referring Providers

Individual participants

Referring providers who follow-up with their patients and hold them accountable. 

Adequate staff to provide visits and classes

Group classes which allow more participants to engage at one time (rather than individually)

Reminder calls

-Have 3 month classes on the schedule once per quarter.

-Implement the schedule of classes that is handed out at the beginning.

-Reminder calls

-Follow-up on phone system and reliability of automated reminders