CHSU Discovery

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern in California’s Central Valley, with counties such as Fresno and Merced experiencing high prevalence rates. Effective management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) requires routine exams, including HbA1c monitoring, retinal screenings, and neuropathy assessments. However, many patients fail to undergo these essential evaluations, leading to worsened outcomes. Understanding the barriers to compliance within the Omni Health system is critical for improving patient adherence and optimizing diabetes care. 

Aim of the Study: This study aims to identify the primary reasons for non-compliance with routine diabetes exams among patients receiving care at Omni Health. By quantifying missed screenings and assessing contributing factors, we seek to develop targeted interventions to enhance adherence and improve diabetes management in the Central Valley. 

Methods: A survey-based quality improvement (QI) study will be conducted, targeting 100-350 T2D patients at Omni Health. Participants must be at least 18 years old, diagnosed with T2D, and receiving care at Omni for at least one year. The survey will assess compliance with key exams (HbA1c, retinal eye exams, urine protein tests, foot neuropathy exams, and blood pressure readings) and investigate reasons for non-compliance using a Likert-scale questionnaire. Data collection will occur via phone interviews conducted by student researchers, with de-identified responses stored securely for analysis.   

Results: A total of approximately 63 phone calls were made, resulting in only seven completed surveys. Of the seven respondents, five reported full compliance with all six survey questions related to routine diabetes care. One participant reported receiving all recommended evaluations except a kidney function exam, and another reported no recent changes to their diabetes medication, stating, “diabetes meds not working.” No demographic data were collected, limiting the depth of analysis and preventing subgroup comparisons. Due to the small sample size and lack of demographic information, quantitative analysis and meaningful graphical representation were not feasible. 

Conclusions: Despite most respondents reporting adherence to recommended diabetes screenings, the low response rate restricted meaningful analysis of barriers to care. These findings underscore the need for improved outreach methods and more robust data collection strategies in future quality improvement efforts. Addressing these limitations will be essential for developing effective interventions to support diabetes management and improve screening adherence among T2D patients in California’s Central Valley.