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In 2021, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 29.7 million people in the United States are living with a diagnosis of diabetes. As the number of adults with chronic diseases continues to grow, diabetes care professionals are working with nutritionists to provide patients with comprehensive treatment plans. We spoke with Megan Bovey, a nutritionist at Parkview Huntington Hospital, and Erica West, a certified diabetes care and education specialist at Parkview Huntington Hospital, to learn more about their collaboration.
Can you tell us what expertise you bring to this model of care?
Erica: We like to think of diabetes as a puzzle made up of different pieces. As a diabetes care and education specialist, I focus on basic understanding of diabetes, medication and insulin education, blood sugar management, and A1C goals.
megan: Focuses on the healthy eating part. In parallel, we support patients with physical activity, risk reduction, mental health and problem solving.
How do we work together to serve patients and create successful outcomes?
Erica: We both see adult patients one-on-one throughout the week. Some insurance policies do not allow the insured to see a nurse and dietitian on the same day. In such cases, our hospital strives to schedule consecutive appointments to suit the patient’s convenience. All of our patients are at different points in their journey. Some people are newly diagnosed, while others have been living with diabetes for years. We work with our patients to understand their current situation and work with them to set realistic goals.
megan: Often our patients juggle diabetes with several other illnesses. They also face a variety of barriers to achieving their goals, including lack of insurance coverage for medicines and essentials, food insecurity, lack of transportation, and lack of healthy coping skills. Our encouragement goes beyond advising patients to take their medications and eat healthy. We help them put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
What strategies do you use to educate and support patients to manage their diabetes with dietary and medication adherence?
Erica: I am also an expert in continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps. I think CGM technology is a game-changer because it provides 24/7 blood glucose data. Because we share a database containing mutual patient reports, we can review blood sugar patterns with patients and brainstorm ways to better manage them. It also reinforces what is working well for the patient.
megan: Monitor blood glucose meter readings and blood tests ordered by your doctor, even if you are not using CGM. This will allow you to coordinate your care plan with your endocrinologist and your doctor. primary care physician. By establishing trust with our patients, providing education, and holding them accountable, we help patients take ownership and improve their overall health and quality of life.
Can you tell us about some of the positive outcomes you’ve seen for patients since you started this collaborative approach?
Erica: We have achieved positive results for multiple patients by providing a dynamic approach to diabetes education combined with personalized nutrition plans.
megan: Our patients express a deep sense of gratitude, and we love celebrating with them as they achieve and exceed their goals.
What do you think about the increase in diabetes diagnoses?
Erica:I recently read an article published last year that made the following prediction: Diabetes will more than double worldwide by 2050. This also correlates with the rise in obesity, another complex disease with multiple puzzle pieces. Advances in technology and medicine are great tools to help patients manage their blood sugar, but their effectiveness is limited. Patients must have access to the information and support that a dynamic healthcare team can provide.
What are some other ways Parkview is working to support people with diabetes?
megan: We look forward to providing more of our services to our patients. Parkview Huntington is excited to be the rural site for VeggieRx starting this summer.
Diabetes diagnosis is one of the criteria for eligibility for the produce prescription program, along with Medicaid eligibility, lack of insurance, and food insecurity. Participants receive $50 in produce each month for six months and are eligible to attend four nutrition education classes.
Erica: We recently opened an in-house virtual endocrinology clinic at our Huntington and Stults Road offices. This helps bridge transportation and time barriers for local patients who cannot easily travel to our Fort Wayne location. Diabetes care services are providing easier access to patients with advances in retinal scans used to screen for diabetic retinopathy using portable AI technology. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults, and screening is an important aspect of preventive care for people with diabetes.
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If you have additional questions or concerns about managing your diabetes, call Parkview Diabetes Care Services at 260-373-4280 to speak to a diabetes educator, registered dietitian, or lifestyle change specialist .
