Diabetes Dateline

NDEP Launches www.BetterDiabetesCare.nih.gov to Promote Improved Diabetes Care

The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) has launched a comprehensive web resource to promote systems changes to improve diabetes care. BetterDiabetesCare.nih.gov (formerly betterdiabetescare.org) reflects the work of experts from NDEP partner organizations. The website was developed to help reduce the gap between current and desired patient outcomes by helping users structure better systems for diabetes care.

The Better Diabetes Care site is designed to help health care providers, educators, policy makers, planners, and purchasers make changes in systems of care for people with diabetes. The easy-to-use site can help practitioners achieve effective results, whether they are experienced in quality improvement or new to the challenge. State-of-the-art materials and tools help users to focus energy, time, and resources; assess needs and set priorities for change; plan strategies for realistic actions; reduce barriers to change; implement effective changes; evaluate process, outcomes, and costs; and improve patient outcomes.

The site provides models for systems change, examples of best practices, and links to many resources and references. Evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of an efficient and reliable information system are presented as the underpinnings of a quality care system. The website will be updated regularly and modified according to user need. Visitors to the site are urged to fill out the feedback form to help the NDEP make revisions to the site as needed.

NIH Publication No. 04–4562
May 2004