The implementation of CARE4DIABETES in Spain involves six regions: Asturias, Andalusia, Cantabria, Aragon, Galicia, and Extremadura. Each region has a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including nurses, coaches, psychologists, nutritionists, and doctors, led by a coordinator who adapts best practices to the specific needs of their region. The project coordinators and other healthcare professionals and participants discuss their experience in the programme in an article published in the Online Magazine “Enfermería en Desarrollo”.
Andalusia: In-Person Approach
Rafael Rodríguez Acuña, the project coordinator in Andalusia, emphasizes the importance of integrating CARE4DIABETES sustainably into the Andalusian healthcare system. The focus is on local resources, with patients being treated at their own health centers by familiar professionals, enhancing trust and adherence to the program. Continuous glucose monitoring sensors help participants see the immediate impact of their habits on their sugar levels, improving their commitment to lifestyle changes.
Extremadura: Perceived Quality
Elisabeth García Alonso, the project coordinator and coach in Extremadura, highlights the importance of perceived quality by participants. Patients appreciate the clear and practical explanations of their condition, leading to better understanding and management of their disease. The team in Extremadura is dynamic and maintains constant communication with patients, even through WhatsApp groups, fostering motivation and mutual support.
Aragon: Patient Motivation
Lucía Lasilla Fernández, a family doctor and project coordinator in Aragon, stresses that motivation is key to the program’s success. The team selects patients who are motivated to ensure adherence. The multidisciplinary team includes professionals from various areas, providing both urban and rural perspectives. Strategies are personalized to fit each patient’s profile, helping them integrate changes into their daily lives. The team’s dedication and enthusiasm have helped overcome logistical challenges, with virtual meetings and constant follow-up maintaining team cohesion.
Galicia: Technological and Methodological Innovation
In Galicia, the project is led by Paula Urones Cuesta, a nurse with extensive experience in research and nutrition. Galicia stands out for integrating innovative technology in patient management and monitoring. The Telea platform allows patients to share their glucose levels directly with their healthcare team through an app, simplifying the process. This technological integration not only simplifies the process but also makes it more efficient. “The data from continuous monitoring sensors are directly integrated into the medical records, avoiding intermediate steps and providing immediate access to information,” explains Paula. This approach, Paula assures, has produced very promising results in Galicia, including improvements in clinical parameters such as cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin, as well as significant weight loss in some patients.
Cantabria: Familiarity and Closeness
In Cantabria, Luis Alberto Vázquez Salvi, a specialist in endocrinology and nutrition at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, highlights closeness as the characteristic that best defines the team and their relationship with patients. “We are a small community where everyone knows each other, creating an ideal environment for a pilot program,” he explains. This familiarity not only facilitates coordination among professionals but also strengthens the bond with participants.
Asturias: the pioneer region and project coordinator
Gustavo García: a participant journey in the programme CARE4DIABETES:·”Since April 3rd, I have been off medication. It’s been 5 months now, and I can only be grateful to the program, to those who implemented it in the Netherlands, and to the entire team that ensures we follow the set path”.
Asturias holds a special place in the CARE4DIABETES project, not only as the pioneering region where it was initially implemented but also as the coordinator and guide for other autonomous communities. The multidisciplinary team in Asturias has laid the groundwork for replicating European best practices across Spain, ensuring both the quality and sustainability of the program.
The coordination in Asturias is led by Marta Pisano González, who oversees the implementation of strategies and adaptation of best practices. She leads a team that includes notable professionals including nutritionists or nurses.
The program’s impact in Asturias extends beyond clinical results. Group dynamics have allowed participants to form supportive networks, enhancing their motivation. Initial in-person sessions designed as immersive experiences in natural settings have been key to building these connections and fostering experiential learning.
Chema Nieto Castañón, an emergency physician and team member, highlights the importance of the results obtained. Chema sees great potential for the program’s continuity and expansion, noting that online group results are as positive as in-person ones, opening the door to reaching more patients. He also emphasizes the need to integrate such interventions into the standard management of new type 2 diabetes diagnoses, which could significantly impact patient quality of life and healthcare system sustainability.
We are in a “sweet spot” assures the Asturian team, seeing exceptional results and laying the foundations for this program to have a lasting impact on the population.
Original information: Amanda Avilés Cabanillas Revista “Enfermería en Desarrollo”.
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