The use of quality improvement and health information technology approaches to improve diabetes outcomes in African American and Hispanic patients

Med Care Res Rev. 2010 Oct;67(5 Suppl):163S-197S. doi: 10.1177/1077558710374621. Epub 2010 Jul 30.

Abstract

Differences in rates of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations represent one of the largest and most persistent health disparities found for African Americans and Hispanics compared with Whites in the United States. Since many minority patients receive care in underresourced settings, quality improvement (QI) initiatives in these settings may offer a targeted approach to improve diabetes outcomes in these patient populations. Health information technology (health IT) is widely viewed as an essential component of health care QI and may be useful in decreasing diabetes disparities in underresourced settings. This article reviews the effectiveness of health care interventions using health IT to improve diabetes process of care and intermediate diabetes outcomes in African American and Hispanic patients. Health IT interventions have addressed patient, provider, and system challenges in the provision of diabetes care but require further testing in minority patient populations to evaluate their effectiveness in improving diabetes outcomes and reducing diabetes-related complications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American*
  • Diabetes Complications / prevention & control*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Hispanic or Latino*
  • Humans
  • Medical Informatics Applications*
  • Quality Improvement*
  • Treatment Outcome