Optimizing Collaborative Care of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Associated with Type 2 Diabetes: An Example Practice Model at a Health Care Practice in Kentucky, United States

Abstract

Suboptimal multidisciplinary team collaboration is a barrier to effective health care provision for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We describe an example practice model of a clinical practice called Baptist Health Deaconess, based in Madisonville, Kentucky, USA, where a small multidisciplinary team consisting of an endocrinologist, nurse practitioner, and pharmacist (authors of this article) work collaboratively in an ambulatory care setting to provide health care to the patients they serve. Many of the patients who receive care at Baptist Health Deaconess are on a low income, have poor health literacy, and do not have a primary care physician. The presence of a pharmacist in the team allows for insurance/access investigations to assess drug choice and affordability; such aspects can be performed quickly with a pharmacist in the office.