Background: Type II diabetes is a progressive and chronic illness largely caused by obesity and lack of exericise. If not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to debilitating complications and premature mortality. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention estimated that nearly 24 million adults in the United States had type II diabetes. The number of diabetics in the US tripled between 1980 and 2007. Following current trends, those born in 2000 have a lifetime risk of 1 in 3 of developing diabetes mellitus. In 2007, the total cost of diabetes in the United States was estimated to be $174 billion, with the average diabetic spending 2.3 times more on medical expenses than their non-diabetic peers. Foreground: Increased adherence of Type II, Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetic clients at a local medical clinic within an urban city continues to be a problem. Ineffective communication has been identified as a barrier to effective treatment of diabetes. EBP Framework: the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change served as the framework for the project. Methods: The aim of the project was to assess the impact of improved patient-clinician communication through an educational program to reinforce the practitioner’s awareness of the American Diabetic Associations’ clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of type II, diabetes. A volunteer sample of both doctors and advanced practitioners at the clinic attended the educational program; after an eight-week period, 141 medical records were chosen and reviewed. The charts chosen for post-review were done so after the date of the educational intervention. The post review measured the clinician’s increased communication, teaching and dialogue with the patient, as evident through their documentation, as well as, post educational laboratory results and weights. Results were measured by comparative analysis. Results: The findings show a positive change; significant improvement in clinician documentation; twenty four percent in A1Cs, 32% in lipid profiles and eleven percent in weights. One hundred percent of the participants perceived that non-adherence to a medical regimen could be directly related to the lack of patient-provider communication. Conclusion: Reviewing clinical practice guidelines make clinician aware of a disease process and help to formulate and effective treatment regimen; one which takes into account the patient’s culture, economic status, religion, and understanding of their illness. Such a plan may result in better patient-clinician communication, and in-turn, increase adherence to medical regimens to decrease co-morbidities and increase quality of life. Continued medical education, with more of an emphasis on non-traditional components, such as culture, economics, religion, family dynamics and education, could provide a solid foundation that may transform and exam room into a classroom for the teaching and learning of patients.
