Increasing the Role of Primary and Community-Based Diabetes Care

Diabetes care can improve and be cost-effective through the use of reimbursable community education programs and an increased reliance on primary care. That was the consensus among panel members during the session "Transforming Diabetes Care in the Nation's Capital: Innovation at Providence Hospital." The panel consisted of Fahad Tahir, vice president, physician enterprise, Providence Hospital; Karen Dale, RN, MSN, executive director, AmeriHealth District of Columbia; Patricia Evans, MD, chief medical officer, Providence Hospital; and Alis Marachelian, MPH, health promotion director, Mary's Center for Maternal & Child Care. The session moderator was Richard Jackson, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, and director of medical affairs, healthcare services, senior physician, Joslin Diabetes Center.