Individuals served by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across the country routinely experience the strain of limited healthcare access due to geographic, financial or cultural barriers. The added pressures of social isolation and job insecurity during the pandemic magnified the struggle for those trying to manage a chronic health condition. 

According to the National Association for Community Health Centers, diabetes is almost twice as prevalent among patients of an FQHC compared to the 11 percent of the general United States population. By expanding telemedicine services and improving care management planning, FQHCs are working to reduce the negative impact of missed appointments and lapses in treatment for those living with diabetes.

Lindsey Karlson, director of quality improvement for the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, gathered diabetes content experts to address diabetes initiatives, treatment guidelines, and care planning. “This four-part series will provide relevant updates, actionable information and resources to primary care teams as they celebrate National Diabetes Awareness Month and work to ensure patients receive high-quality preventative and chronic care.

The four part series is outlined below.

Session ONE: Diabetes Screening and Prevention
November 1, 2021 | Access the Session Recording

In this first session, Brianna Monahan and Kayla Magee, Diabetes Program Coordinators in North Dakota and South Dakota, shared statewide diabetes data and trends, including the impact of COVID-19 on expected diabetes rates. They reviewed recent updates to diabetes screening recommendations and highlighted resources available to healthcare providers to increase awareness of prediabetes among their patient population. They concluded the session with a review of diabetes prevention programs available in North and South Dakota. 

Kayla Magee, RN | Diabetes Program Coordinator
South Dakota Department of Health 

Brianna Monahan | Diabetes Prevention and Control Program Coordinator
North Dakota Department of Health 

Session Two:  A Review of Evidence Based and Clinical Guidelines in Treatment of Diabetes
November 8, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. CT

Dr. Eric Johnson | Professor/Assistant Medical Director
University of North Dakota School of Medicine/Diabetes Center, Altru Health System  

In this session, Dr. Eric Johnson will review current evidence-based and clinical guidelines in treatment of diabetes. The session will review medical and lifestyle management of diabetes, diabetes in older adults and highlight new ADA guidelines related screening for social determinants of health in diabetes care. This program will cover general diabetes guidelines, primarily the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians guidelines will also be referenced. 

Session Three: Diabetes Self-Management Best Practices and Resources
November 15, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. CT

Sue Johannsen, CNP, PA, CDCES | Diabetes Coordinator
Avera Medical Group 

Sue Johannsen, CNP, PA, CDCES and Diabetes Coordinator at Avera Medical Group, will discuss diabetes self-management best practices, resources and patient engagement tools. Sue will review interventions that successfully lowered patient A1Cs by an average of 2%. She will also highlight the role of the care team in providing high-quality diabetes care. 

Session FOUR: Engaging Tribal Communities in Addressing Health Disparities
November 22, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. CT

Billie Jo Kipp, PhD | Associate Director for Research and Evaluation
Center for Native American Youth, Aspen Institute 

In the final lunch and learn session, Dr. Billie Jo Kipp, clinical psychologist and Associate Director for Research and Evaluation, Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, will discuss disparities in care among Native American populations and present a model of diabetes intervention that includes case-based learning, community empowerment and an adaptation of a medical model of culturally supported care of patients with diabetes.

CHAD serves as the primary care association for North and South Dakota with a mission to provide access to health care for all Dakotans regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Focused on reducing diabetes burden and improving quality of life, CHAD is partnering with the Great Plains QIN to offer the Diabetes Lunch and Learn series.