Purpose of the Study:
Our project implements a medical student supported management program for underserved diabetic patients in South Carolina. Trained medical students are paired with uninsured patients through a local free medical clinic to help educate, identify barriers to diabetic management, and set lifestyle goals.

Statement of Methods:
Adults (≥18 years old) with type 2 diabetes (T2D), an HbA1c ≥7%, and access to a phone are eligible for enrollment. Baseline A1c and BMI are taken at the time of enrollment. A1c and BMI are trended every 3 months to evaluate effectiveness. Individualized one-on-one regularly scheduled phone calls between the students and patients aims to identify obstacles typically unrecognized in the clinical setting. Our program connects with the patient during their daily routine in their home environment, providing insight on specific obstacles such as access to kitchen supplies and exercise equipment.

Summary of Results:
Currently, 31 patients have been enrolled with a baseline A1c value of 10.35% and an average BMI of 35.86. A total of 9 patients have completed a 3 month A1c check with an average decrease in A1c of 1.47% and a total of 5 patients have completed a 6 month A1c check with an average decrease in A1c of 0.74%. Along with change in A1c, specific barriers were identified via phone call appointments. These included food insecurity, transportation, mental health, disability, housing security, ability to exercise, financial insecurity, trouble sleeping, and others. We have found that even with the available resources, our patient population often lacks the availability of free time to implement their management strategies.

References and Resources

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