Interprofessional collaboration to improve care for patients with diabetes

Abstract

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased access to routine diabetes care in rural areas and adversely affected self-management of diabetes. Methods: This article describes a descriptive pretest-posttest study conducted to assess efficacy in managing hemoglobin A1C (A1C) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for 1 year. Results: A total of 14 participants completed the Diabetes Mellitus Self-Efficacy Scale survey. Of those 14, 11 used CGM for 1 year; of the 11 who maintained CGM use, A1C levels improved in 9. Conclusions: Results indicate that CGM combined with medication management positively impacts self-efficacy in managing A1C levels among patients with T2DM. Interdisciplinary collaboration optimizes patient outcomes.