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Evaluate and eliminate barriers to diabetes care. Encourage and enhance
creative alternatives to extend the health care system’s ability to detect,
treat, educate and manage the care of persons with diabetes.
Contact Workgroup Chair: access@virginiadiabetes.org
Goal 1. Convene a Virginia Diabetes Council Access to Care Work Group to identify unique regional issues and develop ideas to improve access to care for persons with diabetes in medically underserved areas of Virginia.
OBJECTIVES
1. By March 2008, convene diverse representatives
from medically underserved regions, through
electronic or telephonic means to serve as an
Access to Care Work Group to regularly discuss
their activities, innovations, and challenges.
Include reports from these communications in
VDC internal and external communications
(website, internal news letters, external communications,
brochures, etc.). Assess progress, value
of forum, and telehealth components.
2. By September 2009, partner with the Virginia Telehealth Network to facilitate the adoption and mainstream integration of routine health information systems (HIS), electronic medical records, and other distributive technologies, to improve access and quality of care for persons with diabetes, especially in underserved and rural areas.
Goal 2. Identify, recommend, and promote action to increase the number of health care providers who are well trained in diabetes care and alternative health programs that enhance and extend the work of physicians.
OBJECTIVES
1. By June 2009, convene a task force of generalist physicians, and specialists in pediatrics, endocrinology, nephrology, and faculty from Virginia medical schools to assess the needs of specially identified audiences (see Priority Populations, p. 20). Make recommendations for residency curricula and educational programs at statewide conferences and meetings to address these needs.
2. By June 2010, convene the first in a series of dialogues to discuss best medical/community practices, alternative care models, and selfmanagement practices for diagnosing, treating and managing diabetes and prediabetes. Summarize and disseminate results in white papers: “Virginia Dialogue on Best Practices” and “Personal Initiative in the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Diabetes Mellitus.” Repeat dialogues and white papers every five years.
3. By 2011, enlist endocrinology chairs in Virginia’s medical schools to engage in a dialogue on the statewide scarcity of endocrinologists and develop a white paper on issues such as:
- Number of endocrinologists and those in training
- Desired ratio of endocrinologists to population
- Access to endocrinology services in rural/remote areas
- Incentives for physicians to enter specialty training and remain in state to practice
- Measures VDC and its partners can take to increase access to endocrinology services
4. By 2012, take action on recommended measures resulting from the dialogue/white paper.
Goal 3. Increase access to resources to support health care providers and lay health workers in their efforts to care for persons with diabetes, especially educating patients about diabetes self-management.
OBJECTIVES
1. By March 2008, convene a task force of diabetes educators to develop a mentorship program for health care providers in areas of the state that lack diabetes education programs. Set and achieve realistic targets for number of education programs in these areas.
2. By March 2009, convene a task force of key stakeholders to determine how to assist the pharmaceutical companies in Virginia to provide donations and product samples to clinics/organizations serving indigent individuals and underserved regions. Continue dialogue to explore ongoing opportunities for mutual support.
3. By March 2009, develop an electronic Diabetes Resources Directory in the Commonwealth and a process for systematic updating of the resources. Biennially, update, promote and distribute the Directory to physician offices and the VDC stakeholder network.
4. By June 2010, include in funding campaign, monies to support and train health professionals and other lay health workers’ to provide evidence-based chronic disease self-management education (e.g. Stanford’s Program) outreach efforts.
Goal 4. Facilitate the adoption and mainstream integration of routine health information systems (HIS), electronic medical records, and other distributive technologies, to improve access and quality of care for diabetes patients.
OBJECTIVES
1. By March 2009, convene organizations that are currently using HIS, the electronic medical records and other distributive technologies, compile list of their lessons learned, develop recommendations for best practice and ongoing support.
2. By March 2010, investigate and identify successful health information systems that have improved access and quality of care for diabetes patients.
Goal 5. Address the access to diabetes care and education needs of the under and uninsured diabetes populations
KEY PARTNERS
American Diabetes Association
Community Care Network of Virginia
Endocrinologists
Health Insurers and Health Plans
Hospitals and Health Care Organizations
James Madison University, Center for Health
Outreach
Medical Society of Virginia
National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias
Nephrologists
Parish Nurses
Partnerships for Prescription Assistance
Persons with Diabetes
Pharmaceutical Companies
Virginia Academy of Family Physicians
Virginia Action for Healthy Kids
Virginia Association of Free Clinics
Virginia Chapter of American Academy of
Pediatrics
Virginia Chapter of the American College of
Physicians
Virginia Chapters of the American Association of
Diabetes Educators
Virginia Community Healthcare Association
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Diabetes Council
Virginia Dietetic Association
Virginia Health Quality Center
Virginia School Nurses Association
Virginia Society of Opthalmology
Virginia Telehealth Network
Calendar of Events
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