Focusing the Evaluation
The York Central Hospital DEC assists clients with type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. The DEC had a total of 6800 client visits in 2010 of which 10 % were for type 1 patients, 22% were those with gestational diabetes (which is a precursor for type 2) and the remainder were for type 2 and pre-diabetes. When determining the clients the DEC serves, it was determined that roughly 75% of the clinic visits in 2010 were for patients with type 2 or prediabetes (which is a person who is at extremely high risk for type 2). Based on this fact, the team felt that the evaluation should focus on the client group with type 2 diabetes.
The Overall Evaluation Objective:
To determine the impact of the diabetes education center (DEC) on self management and associated clinical measures such as quality of life and health care resource utilization in adult patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methodology
The clinic team identified the significant diversity of both diabetes type and clients served. Therefore, not wishing to negate the cultural component, the team wished to focus the evaluation on clients who attend the clinic who have type 2 diabetes. The patient population that receives services from the DEC is fairly diverse from an age, gender and ethnic perspective. As a result the tools/methods used to conduct the evaluation will be developed to address the specific needs of the population.
A mixed method approach using qualitative and quantitative data sources of information is the evaluation approach that was determined to be of most value to the team.