Full Report

DISCUSSIONS &
RECOMENDATIONS
Table 1
Summary of Diabetes Pilot Improvements and Outcomes
PROFESSIONAL /
ORGANIZATIONAL PRACTICE
QUALITY OF CDM SERVICES
AND PATIENT CARE
DELIVERY OF
HEALTH SERVICES
GOALS
• Accessible, consistent multidisciplinary
services
• Integration of SMS
• Improve continuity of care
• Establish SMS
• Improve access to care
• Improve information systems
and data collection
• Improve continuity of care
• Establish SMS
• Improve access to care
• Improve information systems
and data collection
PAST PRACTICE
• No set standards
• Limited or no use of SMS
• Lack of SMS within diabetes care
• Lack of SMS within diabetes care
CHANGES
TO DATE
• Provider commitment to continuing
with SMS
• Changed mindset regarding CDM
• Uptake and spread of SMS tools
beyond pilot staff
• Attitude change and new
philosophy of practice
• Greater client engagement and
collaboration between provider
and patient
• Collaboration with clients
• Increased use of SMS within
practice
• Improved client engagement
• Patient-centered approach
to care
• Focus on prevention
and management
SMS training has the potential to be a critical human
resource tool in NWT, where employee turnover
in health and social services was 16.4% in 2010. 12
Standardized training procedures would help managers
accommodate staff movements in and out of
the system, and likely aid retention. Staff suggest
training could be improved with more opportunities
for self-led e-learning that could be undertaken
in home communities. Other training techniques
(group learning, mentorship and reinforcement)
could further advance the knowledge and confidence
of care providers in using SMS. In addition, it
is important to acknowledge that leaders within the
health and social system must also be trained in the
practice so they can help create a culture of SMS.
Increase engagement
The success of using SMS to increase patient
participation suggests the potential of even greater
collaboration; specifically by welcoming communities
into the circle of care. For example, the IP indicated
the need to engage Aboriginal communities in
the development and application of SMS training.
Respect for the nuances of language and culture will
help build an SMS program that is relevant to the
people of the NWT, leading to increased engagement
in care. As the Department examines options for scaling
and spreading SMS, serious consideration must be
given to the effective and meaningful engagement
of Aboriginal communities and leaders, as well as
patients and their families, as key stakeholders in
future SMS work.
13
Making the Case for Change