LAUSR

A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED health center (FQHC) in the Detroit metropolitan area recently conducted a 7-week shared medical appointment (SMA) program for patients with diabetes. Each SMA focused on self-care behaviors, including nurseled group education and one-on-one mini-visits with an NP. Diabetes empowerment results improved significantly. Hemoglobin A1C (A1C) rates also improved in this patient population, but the change was not statistically significant. Using an interactive group and elements of an office visit to address the disease burden, SMAs harness the advantages of group education for patients with diabetes, such as improved A1C levels and increased diabetes knowledge. This article examines the impact of an SMA program in improving diabetes empowerment and glycemic stability in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).