Improving Recruitment and Retention for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support

This randomized clinical trial aims to examine the effectiveness of utilizing CHWs (community health workers) and supplemental diabetes education technology to improve DSMES (diabetes self-management education and support) participation, retention, engagement, and clinical outcomes in adults in Jefferson County, AL living with diabetes. The main questions this study aims to answer are as follows: 1\) Is the utilization of a multi-directional recruitment model via partnerships with community health workers and local primary care providers versus traditional recruitment methods (including using flyers, word of mouth, and media ads) effective in increasing recruitment and retention of people living with diabetes into a pharmacist-led DSMES program? 2) Is the utilization of the HICO Health Mobile application and provider dashboard as a supplementary tool alongside a standard DSMES curriculum effective at improving patient participation, retention, engagement, and clinical outcomes in a pharmacist-led DSMES program versus standard DSMES alone in Jefferson County, AL? After eligibility screenings and enrollment, participants will be randomized into two groups: one group will receive standard DSMES programming based on the 7 Self Care Behaviors and one group will receive standard DSMES programming and access to HICO Health, a diabetes-related mobile health application. The study team plans to evaluate whether a CHW- recruitment strategy will lead to an increase in referral and enrollment and whether incorporating the HICO Health application will lead to better retention, engagement, and clinical outcomes in terms of HbA1C levels. This novel project will utilize continued stakeholder engagement, community health workers, and diabetes-related technology which we hope will increase the uptake and retention of participants in DSMES in Jefferson County, AL.