Connecting the Dots through Interprofessional Collaboration

#Abstract

Community creates a sense of belonging and programs that promote community development allow for strengthening the community as a whole. Diabetes is a complex chronic condition with increasing incidences every year  in communities. When caring for populations with diabetes several factors need to be considered such as the clients’ environmental impact, cultural differences, financial issues, and health literacy level. Adult education and glycemia management require ability to provide knowledge translation in order to ensure the clients’ optimal level of understanding and enhance clients’ ability to self-manage this chronic condition. Group education provides valuable outcome while individual sessions provide unique self-conceptualization. Considering that around 80% of people living with diabetes, have their diabetes managed in a primary care setting, collaboration between health care providers can make a significant impact in helping clients to improve their glycemic control. There have been studies done to show that the collaboration between diabetes nurse educator, diabetes dietitian educator and primary care provider or endocrinologist in a community setting can improve diabetes management. Community Diabetes Education Program of Ottawa (CDEPO) has been aiming to improve quality of care in community practice in order to allow for better utilization of resources through the development of a Glycemia Management Guide. Managing glycemia requires great effort from both clients and health care providers. Coordinated care, understanding the most significant concern of the client and acting on it are important. Education alone might not achieve clients’ glycemic target but motivation in the clients’ community setting will help to engage the client in active care and promote behavior change.

Keywords: Diabetes, Chronic Condition, Collaboration, Education, Health