Using Technologies to Support Behavior Change: A Rapid Cycle Improvement Project at a Community Wellness Clinic
Time: -Topics: Digital Health, Health of Marginalized Populations
Metabolic disorders, diseases associated with metabolic dysregulation such as diabetes and adiposity, responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the United States. These disorders disproportionately affect those who are low income, Latino, and experience social needs such as food insecurity. Currently, accessible interventions for low-income adults with metabolic disorders fail to address both social needs and holistic behavioral changes that can improve metabolic health outcomes. One way to promote accessibility is to integrate multiple technologies into health care processes that support a range of users. Prior research has demonstrated the potential for technologies to help with behavior change. The purpose of the current project is to engage in rapid cycle improvement of implementing technologies to support a behavior change program a community wellness clinic serving a primarily low income and Latino population. These technologies include patient portals for healthcare and community resource referrals; point-of-care testing: body composition analysis, fingerstick Hemoglobin A1c, and Lipid testing; continuous glucose monitors; activity trackers; and a mindfulness and journaling application. Quality improvement methods, which focus on standardizing processes to improve care, guide this project to promote rapid cycle improvements. Four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles over four months are being used to assess user experiences at the patient and clinic level through team meetings and patient and clinic staff surveys. Rapid descriptive analysis of data is occurring in tandem with data collection, and implementation procedures are being adjusted to address patient and clinic staff feedback. At the end of program implementation, chart reviews will occur to assess program participation rates and changes in fingerstick A1c and lipid levels to understand relative impact of the project. Implementation started September 2024 and will be completed in January 2025. Data collection is ongoing. To date, six patients have started the program. After the first PDSA cycle, barriers related to technology use were noted including staff training and comfort with point of care testing. An educational video was developed, and a team meeting was scheduled to address these concerns. Findings from this project will guide ongoing clinical care and a larger implementation trial focused on holistic behavior change for metabolic disorders in a low-income, Latino population.
Keywords: Behavior Change, DisparitiesAuthors and Affliiates
Co-Presenter: Heather Cuevas, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, FCNS, University of Texas at AustinCo-Presenter: Michael Thoma, DNP, PMHNP, CNE, Brigham Young University
Co-Presenter: Neil Peterson, PhD, FN, AGNP, Brigham Young University
Co-Presenter: Cara Young, PhD, FNP, University of Texas at Austin
Using Technologies to Support Behavior Change: A Rapid Cycle Improvement Project at a Community Wellness Clinic
Category
Scientific > Rapid Communication Poster