Variety Care
Program Overview
Variety Care provides comprehensive interdisciplinary diabetes outreach, screening, and diabetes management programs to the uninsured and under-insured in Oklahoma. The interdisciplinary team includes pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dentists, optometrists, social workers, and bilingual medical assistants. The pharmacist and other health care providers work collaboratively through the medical exam process, setting treatment goals, reviewing key concepts of diabetes self-management, and providing education and skills training for each patient.
Program Partners
Variety Care and the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy have partnered on Project IMPACT: Diabetes. Variety Care is a federally qualified health center that provides comprehensive and affordable medical care. They have a strong interdisciplinary network that provides affordable and accessible health care to uninsured and under-insured patients. The University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy is a recognized leader in education, research and scholarship, and service – striving to positively impact and advance knowledge, the profession of pharmacy, and health throughout their state, region, and the nation. This goal is achieved through an environment that fosters collaboration with external communities, respects diversity, and demonstrates commitment to collective endeavors that advance their purposes and positively influence the health and well-being of the public.
Community Champion:
Jamie Farley, PharmD
Patient Profile
The patients served through Project IMPACT: Diabetes are uninsured or under-insured in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Over half of enrolled patients are Hispanic, a group that is medically underserved in the state and is predisposed to diabetes and hypertension. High insurance co-pays create a barrier to health care access. Medications are costly, making it challenging for patients to afford the numerous medications they are prescribed. Financial restraints also restrict the foods that patients can afford. Social, economic, and work stresses add to the difficulties these patients face.
Pharmacists’ Role on the Collaborative Care Team
Pharmacists provide one-on-one patient care. During face-to-face visits, the pharmacist explores the patient’s medical history, patient-specific needs, and provides education as needed. They establish a rapport with patients early and identify barriers to the patient’s diabetes care. Collaboratively, with other health care providers, pharmacists detail a plan for each patient’s disease management. This personalized health plan shows patients they are cared for, and they respond by managing their disease.
Relevant Statistics – Community Level
According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health1:
304,500 (11.0%) of Oklahoma adults were diagnosed with diabetes as of 2010
12.5% of Hispanic Oklahomans were diagnosed with diabetes as of 2010
There were 985 lower limb amputations with diabetes as one of the diagnosis among Oklahomans during 2008
Learn more about Variety Care from its profile in Pharmacy Today.
View a video to learn more about this community and its patients before Project IMPACT: Diabetes.
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References
Oklahoma State Department of Health. Diabetes in Oklahoma. Available at: http://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/Diabetes%20FactSheet%202010.pdf. Accessed July 24, 2013.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes fact sheet: national estimates and general information on diabetes and prediabetes in the United States, 2011. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011.
American Diabetes Association. Fast Facts Data and Statistics About Diabetes. Available at: http://professional.diabetes.org/admin/UserFiles/0%20-%20Sean/FastFacts%20March%202013.pdf. Accessed June 12, 2013.
Community Presentations
PRESENTATION 1
Location:
National Association of Community Health Centers Meeting and EXPO
Presenters:
Jamie Farley, Pharm.D., BCPS, CDEClinical Pharmacist with University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of PharmacyCommunity Champion of Project IMPACT: Diabetes at Variety Care
About the Presentation:
The NACHC conference provided an opportunity to interact with other providers in a multidisciplinary directed approach. The presenter learned and shared ideas to improve the health of complex patient populations. Her presentation focused on how the integration of clinical pharmacy services into a federally qualified health center can help to improve access and health outcomes for patients with diabetes.
Outcomes:
The presenter had positive dialogue with other meeting attendees regarding benefits of clinical pharmacy service integration. She was also able to speak with other pharmacist teams to learn about other models of integrating pharmacists into patient care teams to improve the care of patients.
PRESENTATION 2
Location:
ADA Health Disparities Meeting
Presenters:
Vincent Dennis, Pharm.D., BPACP, CDEAssistant Dean for Experiential Programs and Associate Professor College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterClinical pharmacist involved in Project IMPACT team at Variety Care
About the Presentation:Â The ADA disparities conference was an opportunity to learn about and share ideas to improve the health of diverse populations impacted by diabetes. Variety Care presented on the improved access and health outcomes for patients with diabetes that results from integrating clinical pharmacy services into a federally qualified health center.
Outcomes:  The presenter had positive dialogue with other meeting attendees regarding benefits of clinical pharmacy service integration and also learned about different models to address health needs of disparate populations.