Overcoming Challenges of Implementing Chronic Care Model in Diabetes Management: An Action Research Approach

BACKGROUND: Reforming the health care system to improve suitable health care model for diabetic patients is essential. This study aimed to implement, identify, and overcome the challenges of implementing the Chronic Care Model in diabetes management in a clinic. METHODS: This study is a qualitative technical action research with the Kemmis and McTaggart model including planning, action, reflection, observation, and revision plan which was conducted in the specialized polyclinic from 2015 to 2017 in Isfahan city – Iran. Data were gathered through qualitative and quantitative methods. Diabetes team and 17 patients with type 2 diabetes participated in semi-structured interviews that were purposively chosen. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and then quantitative data collected. RESULTS: The qualitative findings of this research are in five main categories: System design upgrade, self-management upgrade, decision support, health care organization, and clinical information system upgrade. Results of quantitative data showed that most metabolic indicators like HbA1c have statistical meaningful changes (P value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing the Chronic Care Model became feasible despite serious challenges and two groups of ready and active team and active patients were developed. The study showed that one important lost link of diabetes management is underestimating the nurses’ capabilities in the management of this disease. Inevitably, serious investment on maximum use of nurses’ knowledge and skills in improving diabetes management will help diabetes care upgrade significantly.