Organizational Factors Influencing the Early Implementation Process of Diabetes Group Visits by Five Midwestern Community Health Centers: A Multisite Case Study Analysis

Abstract

The objective was to identify facilitators and challenges of implementing diabetes group visits in 5 Midwestern community health center (CHC) settings that care for diverse patient populations. Interview data were collected from July to August 2015. An interview guide was developed to explore health center teams' initial experiences with diabetes group visit implementation. Interviews were conducted with 14 individuals who participated in a training prior to diabetes group visit implementation. Four levels of coding (open, in vivo, categorical, and thematic) were used to identify characteristics of group visit implementation in 5 CHCs. A semi-structured model encouraged interprofessional teamwork across all CHC teams. Self-appointed or chosen team champions were the "pulse" or central driving force of implementation. A designated time in the clinic for patients to receive education and psychosocial support enhanced engagement in diabetes self-management. Early buy-in from upper leadership was critical to securing fiscal and human resources as unexpected needs emerged during group visit implementation. Time commitment of clinic staff and providers for ongoing operations, socioeconomic challenges of patients, staff turnover, and billing were reported as challenges in the initial implementation process. This study acknowledges the influence of administrative and sociocultural factors on successful implementation of diabetes group visits. Future research should further explore how these factors influence successful adoption of diabetes group visits in health centers across the United States and the impact of group visit implementation on staff and patient outcomes.

Keywords: community health centers; diabetes group visits; exploratory case study; formative evaluation research; organizational factors; perceived facilitators and barriers.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIG. 1.

Community health center team composition of diabetes group visits (n = 5).  = group champion/team leader  = team members (identified before training or attended training)  = guest speakers  = team members (recruited after training)  = health care provider NOTE: One health center did not implement diabetes group visits after participating in the training. Beh, behavioral; LPN, licensed practical nurse; RN, registered nurse.