Other study strengths
The group of people with type 2 diabetes they studied has the highest rates of poverty – “the poorest of the poor” – and the highest rates of diabetes-related amputations in San Antonio, Dr. Jaén said.
The intervention “is more focused on what people want to do, less so on the disease,” he explained. People are asked what goals they want to achieve and how the care team can help.
“It becomes an alliance between the community health worker and the patient,” he continued.
Others interested in implementing a program should know that building that relationship takes time and takes a broad multidisciplinary team working together, he said. “We would not necessarily see these effects in 6 months. You have to use a larger perspective.”
The researchers include with this study under the first-page tab “more online” access to tools, including resources for training, for others who want to implement such a program.
The study authors and Dr. Correa reported no relevant financial relationships.