This case study was created by Changing Health using data from 1 GP practice. It's designed to illustrate how digital innovation and collaboration can help overcome challenges in uptake for structured education. If you'd like to learn how this model can improve uptake for your practice, please get in touch. This solution is now being applied to a number of CCGs.
Challenge
Although referral rates for newly diagnosed people with Type 2 diabetes to structured education are above 70%, in most areas, fewer than 20% actually attend a course.
Although referral rates for newly diagnosed people with Type 2 diabetes to structured education are above 70%, in most areas, fewer than 20% actually attend a course.
Professor Trenell and our team in collaboration with NHS partners developed an innovative solution to tackle this large drop in attendance by identifying barriers across the 3 key areas noted below:
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3. Users become disengaged
Lack of personalised support at point of referral and long waits to get on to available sessions reduces urgency, drives disengagement and creates a perceived low value. |
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1. Staff are swamped with volume
Analogue systems require significant levels of administrative support to recruit people onto programmes (letters and phone calls). |
2. Trainers in limited supply
Scarcity of coaches with the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality education.
Scarcity of coaches with the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality education.
Solution
By taking a holistic approach across the whole system we were able to overcome each key barriers which led to an increase in uptake and attendance, whilst laying the foundations for rapid scale with no further resource. Below are our key recommendations and learnings:
By taking a holistic approach across the whole system we were able to overcome each key barriers which led to an increase in uptake and attendance, whilst laying the foundations for rapid scale with no further resource. Below are our key recommendations and learnings:
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3. Instant access keeps engagement
Ensure a person can be referred, registered and begin within minutes of diagnosis. This rapid access treats diabetes seriously and with the respect it deserves. |
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1. Digital referral frees up staff
Move the referral process from PDF forms and phones to a simplified digital approach of SMS invites and self-referral. Ensure the new registration system integrates directly into primary, community and secondary care settings. |
2. Support HCPs VS. increasing work load
Provide HCPs with structured education on behavior change & remove the need for manual referral.
Provide HCPs with structured education on behavior change & remove the need for manual referral.
Outcomes
Our pilot practice saw significant success in just 14 days by applying our key lessons.
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