Integration of a promotora-led self-management program into a system of care.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to describe the integration of a promotora-led self-management component into a system of care and assess the influence of this program on indicators of metabolic control over time.

METHODS

Gateway Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center in Laredo, Texas, that serves a predominantly Hispanic population. Gateway integrated self-management support into care for people with diabetes by incorporating promotora-led self-management services into the clinic structure, operations, and patient visits. The self-management program included education, goal setting, depression screening with symptom follow-up, and support groups after course end. Indicators of metabolic control, HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were compared at baseline and at 12 months.

RESULTS

The integration of promotora-led self-management services into the system of care allowed for continual improvements of self-management services in response to patient needs. Patients enrolled in the self-management course showed improved indicators of metabolic control that were sustained over time, and they reported a high level of goal achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

The integration of the promotora-led self-management program into diabetes care at Gateway generated a system of referral, follow-up, feedback, and documentation that produced consistently high-quality clinical care.