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A Comparison of Diabetes Care in Rural and Urban Medical Clinics in Alabama

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Abstract

This study sought to determine the differences in the level of diabetes care of patients in a rural family practice clinic and an urban internal medicine clinic in Alabama. Medical records of patients with diabetes were reviewed and management practices were compared to current American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards of care. The rural practice had fewer patients at goal A1c, goal LDL, and goal blood pressure. Rural patients were also less likely to receive screening and preventative services such as lipid profiles, eye examinations, microalbumin screening, aspirin therapy, and vaccinations than urban patients. Although, adherence to the ADA standards of care was lower with rural patients, the results suggest that there exists significant opportunity to improve the delivery of diabetes care services to both patient populations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, 257 Nott Hall, Box 870326, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487

    Miranda R. Andrus

  2. School of Pharmacy, Auburn University Harrison, USA

    Kristi W. Kelley & Lisa M. Murphey

  3. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group, USA

    Katherine C. Herndon

Authors
  1. Miranda R. Andrus
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  2. Kristi W. Kelley
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  3. Lisa M. Murphey
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  4. Katherine C. Herndon
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Correspondence to Miranda R. Andrus.

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Andrus, M.R., Kelley, K.W., Murphey, L.M. et al. A Comparison of Diabetes Care in Rural and Urban Medical Clinics in Alabama. Journal of Community Health 29, 29–44 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOHE.0000007443.96138.03

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOHE.0000007443.96138.03

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