Primary Care Continuity Improves Diabetic Health Outcomes: From Free Clinics to Federally Qualified Health Centers

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Figure 1.
LINKED Study Design. Patients were enrolled in the LINKED Study at the Physicians Free Clinic (PFC) or the Columbus Free Clinic (CFC) through a counseling session conducted by a medical student. Information regarding current health status was obtained through an initial survey. Contact information was provided to federally qualified health center (FQHC) care coordinators to arrange appointments. Participants were contacted again after 9 months to complete postlinkage surveys, and their charts were reviewed at the free clinics and FQHCs for outcome data. DM, diabetes mellitus; PCMH, patient-centered medical home.

Table 1.

Summary of Baseline Data^*

Demographic data
Age (years)
Mean (SD)	46.9 (10.1)
Median	49
Sex
Male	37 (54.4)
Female	31 (45.6)
Race
Black/African American	37 (54.4)
White	21 (30.9)
Hispanic/Latino	6 (8.8)
Other	4 (5.9)
Socioeconomic data
Insurance
Yes	2 (2.9)
No	66 (97.1)
Subjective ability to pay an FQHC sliding fee^†
Yes	42 (61.8)
No	26 (38.2)
Access to transportation^‡
Yes	56 (82.4)
No	12 (17.6)
Employment status
Unemployed	42 (61.8)
Part time	17 (25.0)
Full time	9 (13.2)

Data are n (%) of participants unless otherwise indicated.
↵* Baseline data were collected directly from all participants (n = 68) at the time of enrollment in the study.
↵† At the time of the survey, participants did not know which federally qualified health center (FQHC) they were assigned to. Responses represent their self-perceived ability to pay a fee averaging either $10 or $30.
↵‡ Transportation access was not meant to be a question specific to either FQHC.
SD, standard deviation.

Table 2.

Baseline Health Data and Food Security

↵* Most baseline health data were collected directly from all participants (n = 68) at the time of enrollment in the study.
↵† Baseline HbA_1c (n = 55) and body mass index (BMI) (n = 68) values were collected from the patients' free clinic medical records.
↵‡ Baseline food security scores were calculated for all enrolled participants (n = 68) using the US Household Food Security Survey Module developed by the US Department of Agriculture.¹¹
DM, diabetes mellitus; SD, standard deviation.

Table 3.

Baseline Health Maintenance Data^*

In the past 7 days, how many days did you do each of the following?	Mean (days)	Median (days)
Followed a healthful eating plan?	3.3	3
At least 30 minutes of physical activity?	3.9	4
Tested your blood sugar?	2.6	0
Checked your feet?	4.3	7
Taken your recommended diabetes medications?	4.4	7
In the past 9 months, have you done each of the following?	No.	%
Lab testing
Yes	60	88.2
No	8	11.8
Eye exam
Yes	32	47.1
No	36	52.9
Podiatric exam
Yes	10	14.7
No	58	85.3
Dental exam
Yes	15	22.1
No	53	77.9
Seen a dietitian
Yes	19	27.9
No	49	72.1

↵* Baseline health maintenance data were collected directly from all participants (n = 68) at the time of enrollment in the study.