Follow‐up with primary care providers for elevated glycated haemoglobin identified at the dental visit. Issue 4 (1st April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosedale, MT; Strauss, SM; Kaur, N; Knight, C; Malaspina, D
• Is Part Of: International journal of dental hygiene. Volume 15:Issue 4(2017:Nov.)
• Page Start: e52
• Page End: e60
• Publication Date: 2016-04-01
• Subjects: dentistry -- diabetes -- interprofessional collaboration -- mixed‐methods research -- nursing -- prediabetes -- screening; Dental hygiene -- Periodicals; Dental hygienists -- Periodicals; 617.60105
• DOI: 10.1111/idh.12214
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1601-5029

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This study examined patient experiences after receiving elevated diabetes screening values using blood collected at a dental clinic. It explores patients' reactions to screening, whether or not they sought recommended medical follow‐up, and facilitating factors and barriers to obtaining follow‐up care. Methods: At the comprehensive care clinics at a large, urban College of Dentistry in the United States, haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) values were obtained from 379 study participants who had not been previously diagnosed with diabetes. In all, 169 (44.6%) had elevated HbA1C values. We analysed quantitative and qualitative data concerning these patients' follow‐up with primary care providers (PCPs). Results: We were able to contact 112 (66.3%) of the 169 study participants who had an elevated HbA1C reading. Of that group, 61 (54.5%) received recommended follow‐up care from a PCP within 3 months, and an additional 28 (25.0%) said they intended to seek such care. Qualitative themes included the following: the screening letter – opportunity or burden, appreciation for the 3‐month follow‐up call and barriers to medical follow‐up that included the following: lack of knowledge about diabetes, not understanding the importance of follow‐up, busyness, financial concerns, fear and denial. Conclusions: Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrate that dentists, dental hygienists and nurses are well poised to discover and translate new models of patient‐centred, comprehensive care to patients with oral and systemic illness.