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| Topic Last Updated Jan. 2007
Introduction: Overview and Background
The content of this website is based on current, peer-reviewed literature and evidence-based clinical practice recommendations. References appear in yellow highlight throughout the website topics. The date of last review is noted for each section. This site provides models, links, resources and tools to help health care professionals:
Recent clinical trials have shown that it is possible to prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes and ongoing management of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can also prevent many complications (such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations) associated with the disease. After a two-year review of the components of the current health care system and the best methods for improving care, the NDEP compiled this resource to help health care professionals better deliver quality care.
Such a comprehensive systems change make it possible to adopt proven models of care and translate conclusions derived from clinical studies into day-to-day policies, procedures, and operations. This is a long-term goal that will require support from health care professionals, patients, and policy-makers. It is not a simple task, yet one that will result in improved care for the nearly 21 million people in the United States with diabetes. This
site is designed to educate health care professionals about the need for systems changes and ways to implement them. The site provides steps, models, guidelines, resources and tools for the process of making and evaluating effective systems changes. -Return
to the Top- Members of the NDEP Health Care Professional Work Group select the tools and write and revise the content. The work group is made up of volunteers from a number of health care professional, government and consumer organizations. The NDEP is jointly sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with the support of more than 200 partner organizations. Public and private partners are working to improve treatment, diagnosis and, ultimately, the prevention of diabetes. Click Here for the NDEP partner organizations. -Return
to the Top- How Tools are Selected to be Included Tools are selected if they support the current state of the art of comprehensive diabetes health care delivery. Tools selected have been used effectively in clinical practice to improve diabetes care. No evaluation or ranking has been or will be conducted. NDEP does not endorse any tool that appears on the site. Tools are revised and updated as new appropriate materials are identified. -Return
to the Top- Who Can Benefit from this Site Any health care professional interested in improving quality of care for patients: physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, dietitian, pharmacist, certified diabetes educator, podiatrist, optometrist, nurse instructor, or community-based health worker. Health care planners involved in chronic care delivery systems may also find useful tools and resources. -Return
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How to use the Website
You may skip around within the site, choosing links as they interest you or using the search features to go directly to a topic of particular interest or a specific tool; however, it is important to remember that true system changes require many steps that are best followed in sequence. When choosing a tool or resource that you believe applies to your practice, also look at the sections that offer insights on training your staff to make changes and ways to measure whether the change improves care. Note that there will be obstacles to face and many issues to overcome. This website offers suggestions on ways to identify those obstacles and develop strategies for addressing them. Substantial improvement in patient care will require ongoing procedural changes. Significant, sustained improvement will take time, resources and effort. It
is important to make improved care a high priority. Our commitment to providing better care must be long-term and system-wide if we are going to actually achieve the health benefits that research has made possible and put within our reach. -Return
to the Top- Your feedback is important and we periodically invite visitors to complete a user survey. We use the results to update and improve the website.
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Introduction Overview & Background :: Needs: Priorities for Systems Change :: Framework: Assess Needs & Goals How to Make System Changes :: What We Want to Achieve :: Issues: Obstacles to Overcome Evaluation: Measuring Change :: Toolbox: Links & Resources Search this Site :: Site Map :: Frequently Asked Questions :: Privacy Statement |
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This practical resource is designed to help health care professionals across the country make a difference in the way diabetes is prevented and treated. The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) undertook this task to help address the steps outlined by the Committee on the Quality of Health Care in America in its 2001 Crossing the Quality Chasm report to the National Institute of Medicine. The report focuses on how the health care delivery system can be designed to innovate and improve care. NDEP believes that systems change is essential to provide the type of evidence-based patient-centered care needed to effectively manage diabetes and prevent the serious complications associated with this disease. 
To
better serve patients with diabetes, system changes need to be made, at many levels and in many applications.
To
make a significant improvement in your organization's delivery of care, it is important to understand the process for change as well as to identify new tools and the methods for implementing change.
