Primary care patient and provider preferences for diabetes care managers

Abstract

Purpose:

The collaborative care model, using care managers, has been shown to be effective in achieving sustained treatment outcomes in chronic disease management. Little effort has been made to find out patient preferences for chronic disease care, hence, we conducted a study aimed at identifying these.

Methods:

A 20-item questionnaire, asking for patients’ and providers’ preferences and perceptions, was mailed out to 1000 randomly selected patients in Olmsted County, Minnesota, identified through a diabetes registry to have type 2 diabetes mellitus, a prototypical prevalent chronic disease. Surveys were also sent to 42 primary care providers.

Results:

There were 254 (25.4%) patient responders and 28 (66%) provider responders. The majority of patients (>70%) and providers (89%) expressed willingness to have various aspects of diabetes care managed by a care manager. Although 75% of providers would be comfortable expanding the care manager role to other chronic diseases, only 39.5% of patient responders would be willing to see a care manager for other chronic problems. Longer length of time from initial diagnosis of diabetes was associated with decreased patient likelihood to work with a care manager.

Conclusion:

Despite study limitations, such as the lack of validated measures to assess perceptions related to care management, our results suggest that patients and providers are willing to collaborate with a care manager and that both groups have similar role expectations of a care manager.

Keywords:

• care manager
• collaborative care
• patient preference
• diabetes care

Introduction

The increasing challenges of responding to chronic disease management and prevention have particularly impacted the primary care setting, where the acute care model has long been in place. A major rethinking of practice models focusing on chronic disease management has occurred. The collaborative care model, using allied health staff such as nurses to act as care managers, has been consistently shown in studies to be effective in achieving sustained treatment outcomes in chronic disease management.^1–3 In this model, a care manager plays a prominent role in implementing its key aspects; such as patient education towards self-management, coordination of tests, results notification, treatment plan discussions based on treatment guidelines, protocol-based regulation of medications, and maintenance of appropriate follow-ups at appropriate intervals for monitoring status and progress.^3,4 The primary care physician maintains ownership of the patient, with the care manager providing support. However, patient participation in their chronic disease management that involves allied health practitioners has been challenging. This was shown by low patient enrollment in a recently reported study that randomized patients with diabetes and hypertension to nurse led education vs usual care.⁵ One assumption to low patient engagement in the model was familiarity with an acute care model, particularly among the elderly population, most of whom had been used to seeing their primary care physician for management of chronic problems. Only a few studies have addressed factors affecting patient participation in chronic disease care models. Patients’ perceived barriers identified include poor physician communication, financial problems, and skepticism about nurses’ professional background and training.^6,7 Patient frailty and attitudinal and operational issues have been also cited.⁸ Provider-related barriers have likewise been encountered in the transition from acute to chronic disease practice models, including competing priorities and little engagement of physicians.⁹

Little effort has been made to find out patient preferences regarding their chronic disease care within a collaborative model, as well as their role expectations for a non-physician care manager. Likewise, provider input has not traditionally been sought. Patients will generally accept a new care delivery model, so long as it does not preclude human contact or isolate them from their physicians and if it is endorsed by their physician.¹⁰

If we are to adapt a provider endorsed, patient-centered chronic disease management model, using nurse care managers in primary care, to enhance patient participation in such a model, and minimize potential barriers, there is a need to determine patient and provider perspectives on the role of a care manager and the factors that would make them willing participants in the model. We therefore conducted a survey aimed at identifying patient and provider preferences on how various aspects of a collaborative care model using care managers should be implemented. As a prototypical chronic disease of high prevalence,¹¹ we chose to conduct this study among diabetic patients, utilizing a diabetes registry to identify those with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A two-part questionnaire was sent to 1000 randomly selected community dwelling patients seen in the primary care clinic of a large academic institution in Midwest United States, identified through the registry to have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients residing in skilled care facilities were excluded. A cover letter, with a consent form describing the model, accompanied the survey questionnaire. Part 1, a 20-item questionnaire, consisted mostly of Likert scale type questions and 3 open-ended questions. Preference surveys have conventionally utilized Likert scale questions.¹² A recently conducted survey by another division within the institution that already uses care managers, made use of Likert scale questions to ask patients’ opinions on their experience with a care manager. Several of the questions in the present study instrument were adopted from that survey. The second part of the questionnaire focused on patient characteristics. The questionnaires were sent out and collected by the institution’s survey center. A copy of the questionnaire is available upon request from the author. A second mailing was not done based on low response rates to such mailings in prior survey studies conducted within the institution.

All 42 primary care staff providers were invited to complete an abbreviated version of the survey, which included demographics and 10 questions from the 20-item questionnaire.

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics: frequency (%) for categorical variables; or mean plus or minus standard deviation (mean ± SD) for continuous variables, were used to tabulate patient characteristics and data from patients’ or staffs’ close-ended questions, including Likert scale responses. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed separately using qualitative methods and results will be reported separately.

Univariate Pearson Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses; based on age, gender, years of diabetes diagnosis (≤5 years; ≥6 years), race, marital status, and years in school (grades 1–12; college/graduate/postgraduate) were performed to determine if any of these variables significantly affected patients’ responses regarding various aspects of the care manager role.

Results

Demographics

There were 254 (25%) patient responders and 28 (66%) provider responders. Patient demographic characteristics are reported in Table 1. Fifty-three percent of the patient responders were female, with 90% being 51 years or older. The majority (65%) were married; 94% were Caucasian; and 57% had a college or higher education. One hundred and fifty-seven patients had been diagnosed with diabetes for over 5 years. More than half (61%) had hypertension as a co-existing chronic disease and depression was present in 22% of responders. Among the primary care providers, 16 (59.26%) were male, with 20 (74%) being 41 years or older. Most (67%) had been in practice for more than 10 years.

Table 1 Patient demographics (n = 254)

Characteristic	Number	%
Age (n = 251)
≤ 50	24	10%
51–70	108	43%
71+	119	47%
Gender (n = 249)
Male	116	47%
Female	133	53%
Marital status (n = 249)
Single/Divorced/Separated/Widowed	86	35%
Married	163	65%
Race (n = 251)
White	235	94%
African American	5	2%
American Indian	1	0%
Asian	3	1%
Hispanic (Latino)	4	2%
Other	3	1%
Years of school finished (n = 246)
Grades 1–8	16	7%
Grades 9–12	88	36%
College/university (13–17)	108	44%
Graduate school (18–22)	22	9%
Postgraduate (23+)	11	4%
Multiple responses	1	0%
Years since first diagnosed with diabetes (n = 247)
≤ 5	90	36%
6–10	68	28%
≥ 11	89	36%
Means of getting to clinic appointments (n = 250)
Drive myself	161	64%
Take public transportation	8	3%
Family member	28	11%
Walk	10	4%
Other	10	4%
Multiple responses (9)	33	13%

Tables 2a and 2b summarize patient and provider responses on the care manager’s role.

Table 2a Patients’ preferences on care management by care managers (number (%); n = 254)

	Yes	Maybe	No	No answer
Are you willing to see a care manager for diabetes visit?	178 (70.4%)	49 (19.4%)	23 (9.1%)	3 (1.2%)
Are you willing to have your treatment plan modified by the care manager under the guidance of your doctor?	179 (70.8%)	43 (17.0%)	24 (9.5%)	7 (2.8%)
Are you willing to have your tests scheduled and coordinated by a care manager?	190 (75.1%)	37 (14.6%)	21 (8.3%)	5 (2.0%)
Are you willing to have the care manager contact you to follow-up on your treatment progress?	195 (77.1%)	31 (12.3%)	19 (7.5%)	8 (3.2%)
Are you willing to have the care manager schedule follow-up visits?	191 (75.5%)	35 (13.8%)	20 (7.9%)	7 (2.8%)

Table 2b Providers’ preferences on care management by care managers (number (%); n = 28)

	Yes	Maybe	No
I am willing to have my patients with diabetes see a care manager	26 (92.9%)	1 (3.6%)	1 (3.6%)
I am willing to have my patient’s treatment plan modified by the care manager under my guidance or established protocol	25 (89.3%)	2 (7.1%)	1 (3.6%)
I am willing to have my patients’ diabetes tests scheduled and coordinated by a care manager	27 (96.4%)	1 (3.6%)	0
I am willing to have the care manager contact my patients to follow-up on treatment progress	27 (96.4%)	1 (3.6%)	0
I am willing to have the care manager schedule follow-up clinic visits for my patients if needed to ensure good control of their diabetes	26 (96.3%)	1 (3.6%)	0

Patient preferences and role expectations

The majority of patients (>70%) were willing to have various aspects of their diabetes care managed by a care manager. Most would also be comfortable discussing their health concerns with the care manager. Role expectations for a care manager were not statistically different among patients in sub-group univariate analysis based on: years from diagnosis of diabetes (≤5 years; ≥6 years); race; age; gender; marital status; and level of education. However, in multivariate analysis, those responders who had been diagnosed with diabetes for 11 or more years (n = 89) were less likely to see a care manager for a diabetes visit (OR: 0.551; CI: 0.315–0.965; P = 0.037), and were less confident that a care manager could help keep their diabetes under control (OR: 0.518; CI: 0.289–0.925; P = 0.026). Interestingly, those diagnosed with diabetes for between 5 and 10 years were more willing to have a care manager schedule follow-up appointments for them and to discuss health concerns with them (Table 3). To ensure that results were not being skewed by the small percentage of responders who were less than 50 years and non-Caucasian, a separate multivariate analysis was performed excluding these two groups; there was no difference in results.

Table 3 Questions with significant responses on multivariate regression analysis (n = 249)

	Odds ratio	95% CI		P-value
		Lower	Upper
1. Are you willing to see a care manager for a diabetes visit?
Male	1.271	0.688	2.347	0.4436
Age ≤ 50	1.647	0.553	4.910	0.3705
Age ≥ 71	1.146	0.629	2.089	0.6566
Married	1.446	0.781	2.678	0.2402
College education	1.311	0.714	2.410	0.3825
Graduate school education	1.560	0.592	4.111	0.3685
DM DX 6–10 yrs	1.434	0.668	3.080	0.3550
DM DX ≥ 11 yrs	0.645	0.336	1.238	0.1876
Final Model
DM DX ≥ 11 yrs	0.551	0.315	0.965	0.0371
5. Are you willing to have the care manager schedule follow-up on your treatment progress?
Male	1.132	0.585	2.190	0.7133
Age ≤ 50	2.375	0.640	8.807	0.1958
Age ≥ 71	1.036	0.549	1.954	0.9136
Married	1.694	0.880	3.262	0.1148
College education	1.070	0.559	2.048	0.8374
Graduate school education	1.333	0.474	3.746	0.5856
DM DX 6–10 yrs	1.733	0.740	4.055	0.2051
DM DX ≥ 11 yrs	0.668	0.337	1.326	0.2492
Final Model
DM DX 6–10 yrs	2.159	1.023	4.555	0.0433
6. How confident are you that a care manager can help you keep your diabetes under control?
Male	0.869	0.460	1.640	0.6641
Age ≤ 50	1.234	0.413	3.692	0.7065
Age ≥ 71	0.954	0.512	1.778	0.8829
Married	1.520	0.796	2.901	0.2046
College education	1.069	0.566	2.018	0.8367
Graduate school education	0.997	0.385	2.586	0.9957
DM DX 6–10 yrs	1.193	0.538	2.647	0.6634
DM DX ≥ 11 yrs	0.566	0.287	1.116	0.1004
Final Model
DM DX ≥ 11 yrs	0.518	0.289	0.925	0.0263
7. How comfortable would you be in discussing your health concerns with the care manager?
Male	1.672	0.811	3.447	0.1635
Age ≤ 50	1.457	0.379	5.606	0.5839
Age ≥ 71	0.773	0.390	1.533	0.4614
Married	1.156	0.568	2.354	0.6897
College education	1.254	0.619	2.537	0.5298
Graduate school education	0.908	0.328	2.518	0.8532
DM DX 6–10 yrs	2.801	0.969	8.098	0.0573
DM DX ≥ 11 yrs	0.522	0.257	1.064	0.0735
Final Model
DM DX 6–10 yrs	4.317	1.637	11.385	0.0031

Abbreviations: CI, confidence intervals; DM DX, years since first diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

Sixty-two percent of responders had no gender preference for a diabetes care manager. As to qualification, 40% (n = 101) preferred the care manager to be a Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) while 35% had no preference. More female patients would prefer a female care manager compared to male patients (53% vs 4%; P < 0.001). Only 40% of responders would be willing to see a care manager for other chronic illnesses and 37% were unsure. Almost two thirds (n = 180) had no prior experience of working with a care manager. Those who had been diagnosed with diabetes for 6 or more years had more prior experience with a care manager than those who had been diagnosed for 5 years or less (32% vs 15%). When asked to choose what factor would keep them from using the services of a care manager, 38% indicated “cost”; another 35% indicated “don’t know person enough” or “don’t like change in care”; and 30% had other reasons.

As care managers would be coordinating most of patient’s health education and follow-ups, responders were asked their preferences with respect to various aspects of their health care. On “test results notification”, 130 patients (51%) would prefer results to be communicated to them by letter or phone; 19% (n = 47) would prefer being notified in person. The preference for letter and face-to-face notification of test results was higher among older patients (≥71 years). Given a choice, only 11% of responders would prefer receiving diabetes education through a group class; 41% favored individual sessions.

Provider preferences and role expectations

At least 89% of providers were willing to have various aspects of their patients’ diabetes care managed by a care manager. Over half of responders (57%) were “somewhat” or “very confident” that a care manager could help their patients become activated in their diabetes care. Likewise, 89% would be “somewhat” or “extremely comfortable” discussing management plans for their patients with a care manager. In contrast to patient responders, 75% of providers were comfortable to expand the role of the care manager to other chronic diseases.

In univariate analyses using Pearson Chi-square, providers did not significantly differ in their responses on care manager roles when age or years of practice were factored in.

Self-management characteristics

Self-management is a key component of a chronic disease care model. Hence, the study investigators were particularly interested in identifying behavior patterns that may serve as predictors for patient engagement to the model and to self-management, an essential component of the model. Certain questions were designed to capture this data based on review of available literature.^13,14 When asked the question “Are you the person responsible for your health?”, 244 (96%) surprisingly answered “no”. However, over 93% of patients indicated “self” to the question “Who looks after your diabetes?” Subjects were asked two questions that reflect self-activation behavior. The majority (60%) responded “rarely” when asked how often they would call a nurse or nurse help line with a health question. Only 4% answered “frequently”. To the question “How often do you call your doctor’s office to ask about test results if you have not heard anything back?”, 211 patients (83%) stated either “never”, “rarely”, or “occasionally”.

Physical and cognitive capacities as well as health literacy have been identified as barriers to patient’s self management behaviors.¹⁵ A single question, “How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself ?” has been shown to accurately screen limited health literacy.¹⁶ Over 70% of study participants responded “quite a bit” to “extremely” in relation to confidence with filling out medical forms themselves. Physically, most of the subjects appeared to be adequately mobile, as 65% were able to drive themselves or take public transportation to get to their clinic appointment.

Discussion

Both patients and providers expressed willingness to have various aspects of diabetes care managed by a care manager. While more than 75% of patients would be willing to have the care manager coordinate their care, slightly fewer patients (70%) would be willing to have the care manager modify their treatment plan even with the provider’s guidance. The latter is usually accomplished during clinic visits and may reflect patients’ preference to maintain a certain degree of personal provider contact. It is interesting to note that length of time from initial diagnosis of diabetes is an independent variable affecting patients’ perception of the care manager’s role. Those diagnosed with the disease for 11 or more years appear to be less likely to use a care manager and less confident of a care manager’s ability to help with diabetes care. This observation is not explained just by age. Although comprising less than a third of the responders, this sub-group of patients appeared to be less receptive to a new care model. It may therefore be crucial to adopt measures that would increase their “buy-in” to the collaborative care practice. Providers did not differ significantly in their responses on care manager based on age and years of practice, however, this finding may have been limited by the small provider sample size.

Both patients and providers rated themselves as “somewhat” or “extremely comfortable” discussing health concerns or management plans with a care manager. However, providers were more comfortable in expanding the role of a care manager to other chronic diseases; less than 40% of patients would be willing to see a care manager for management of other chronic illnesses. Lack of patients’ previous experience with a care manager may account for this observation.

The majority of patients (74%) reported confidence in a care manager’s ability to help them keep their diabetes under control. The only sub-group who responded differently, as mentioned before, was those diagnosed with diabetes for 11 or more years. There appears to be a tendency for patients who have newly diagnosed diabetes to be more accepting of a new care model.¹⁷ Nonetheless, this result may indicate readiness on the part of most patients for a different care model.

As to how a care manager should implement various aspects of care delivery, patients expressed a desire for a more individualized approach to their health care needs, as reflected by their preferences for test result notification and education method. This observation is again not surprising; it has been reported that patients do have preferences for different styles of reporting and education.¹⁸

Just over half of the provider responders reported confidence that a care manager would be helpful in getting patients to be more activated in their diabetes care; the remaining 43% were “unsure” or “somewhat not confident”. This may reflect provider awareness of the difficulty in enhancing self-activation skills. Indeed, most patients (96%) rated themselves “low” in taking responsibility for their health. Working with patients in developing self-management skills is an identified need based on obtained responses. The association of patients’ age to passive role preference and less perceived involvement with decision making had been previously observed,¹⁸ and is likewise seen among this study’s patient responses to self management questions; 90% of the subjects were over 50 years of age.

The above observation from this study implies the need for a care manager training program that would incorporate motivational interviewing and problem solving skills. Preferences for care management support by patients have been explored and may be helpful in planning this support service.¹⁹ Interestingly, the majority of responders in this study showed high health literacy level and were functionally able to drive themselves to clinic appointments. These characteristics are potential enablers of patient involvement in a collaborative care model.

The study has its limitations that limit generalizability. Respondents were mostly Caucasian community dwellers with type 2 diabetes mellitus, residing in a mid-western section of the United States and results may not be generalized to patients in other geographic locations and minority groups. The questionnaire, although patterned from a previously used survey tool, may lack validity. Finally, characteristics of non-responders were not addressed; it is possible that patients who responded felt differently than those who did not. Study results nonetheless offer a valuable insight into both patients’ and providers’ perceptions of care managers, which has practice implications. In this study, those with a longer time from disease diagnosis were less willing to see a care manager and may need additional support to engage them in the care model. Training care managers, particularly on motivational interviewing and patient self-management skills, may translate to empowering patients to take charge of their health, which is an essential component of a chronic disease model.

Conclusions

The results of this self-report survey study provide preliminary evidence that patients and providers are receptive to collaborating with care managers for diabetes management in primary care. Providers may be more comfortable in expanding the role of a care manager to other chronic diseases. Those patients with a longer time since diagnosis of diabetes may be less likely to use a care manager.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.