Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Care and Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study

Authors

Yhenneko J. Taylor, Atrium HealthFollow
Marion E. Davis, Atrium HealthFollow
Rohan Mahabaleshwarkar, Atrium HealthFollow
Melanie D. Spencer, Atrium HealthFollow

Keywords

diabetes mellitus; health disparities; patient-provider relationship; quality of care; mixed methods research

Disciplines

Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism | Health Communication | Primary Care

Abstract

Limited research has examined racial/ethnic differences in diabetes care and outcomes among primary care patients. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in diabetes care and outcomes among an ambulatory patient population and explored patient perceptions of the patient-provider relationship to inform strategies to improve care delivery. Using data from 62,149 adults with diabetes who received care within Atrium Health in 2013, regression models assessed associations between race/ethnicity and the following outcomes: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and blood pressure (BP) screening, foot and eye exams, and HbA1c, LDL, and BP control. Eleven patients with diabetes and uncontrolled hypertension participated in three focus groups about their perceptions of the patient-provider relationship. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks had 22% to 73% higher odds of receiving screenings (HbA1c, LDL, BP, foot and eye exams; p

Recommended Citation

Taylor, Yhenneko J.; Davis, Marion E.; Mahabaleshwarkar, Rohan; and Spencer, Melanie D. (2018) "Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Care and Outcomes: A Mixed Methods Study," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol11/iss2/9