The Detection and Treatment of Diabetes Distress

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to develop evidenced-based, best practice guidelines on detecting and treating diabetes distress for health care providers at Southcentral Foundation (SCF). A need was identified at SCF because health care providers do not currently screen for diabetes distress in patients with type 2 diabetes. Key findings include the importance of detecting and treating diabetes distress, critical times to screen for diabetes distress, and evidenced-based treatment options if diabetes distress is detected. It was determined that the Diabetes Distress Scale is a valid and reliable tool for health care providers to assess diabetes distress in the primary care setting at SCF. Additionally, by using the SCF approaches and processes for improvement, a Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle was created for planning and implementing sustained screening for diabetes distress in patients with type 2 diabetes. Lastly, an educational portal was designed for health care providers to better equip them for detecting and treating diabetes distress in their respective practice setting.