Does continuity of care have an effect on diabetes quality measures in a teaching practice in an urban underserved community?

Teaching clinics are an important source of care for urban, minority, underserved communities and face great challenges to improve quality of care for diabetics. This study examined the impact of continuity with the same primary care provider on health care process and outcome measures for patients with diabetes treated at an urban, family medicine resident teaching practice. The Modified Modified Continuity of Care Index was used to measure care continuity. The diabetes care quality measures were based on the NCQA HEDIS and Diabetes Recognition Program. Low levels of care continuity were associated with poor HbA1c control and higher levels of care continuity were associated with good LDL control. These findings suggest that improving care continuity should be considered in a systems-based approach to address disparities in diabetes care. Additional research is needed to include the patient's perspective in measuring care continuity and patient outcomes.