For Minority Physicians

Peer support can help reduce health disparities, AHRQ says

Two programs that used peer support to improve the outcomes of vulnerable patient populations, especially African-Americans, are featured in the latest edition of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Health Care Innovations Exchange.

One such program at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center paired African-American veterans with diabetes who had their blood glucose under control with African-American veterans whose blood glucose was not controlled. After the mentors completed a one-hour training session, they telephoned, or met, with their assigned patients on a regular basis over a six-month period to help them address challenges such as diet, exercise and insulin use. The program significantly reduced blood glucose levels and generated a positive reaction from many participants.

Another program, at the Emory Transplant Center in Atlanta, required kidney transplant candidates to complete an onsite education class before receiving a medical assessment. Designed to maximize patient interaction and engagement, the three-hour session consisted of presentations and discussions about medical issues and concerns, the patient's financial responsibilities and life after the transplant.

The class significantly increased the percentage of patients completing the transplant evaluation process, particularly among African-American patients and people of lower socioeconomic status. Last year, the center replaced the in-hospital education class with an online version that patients must complete at home or at the hospital before proceeding with their medical evaluation.

Email the AMA Minority Affairs Section if you have a project or idea that could help prevent health disparities or increase awareness about this issue.

Attend Commission to End Health Care Disparities meeting, earn CME credit

Register today (AMA login required) for the next meeting of the Commission to End Health Care Disparities, which will take place Sept. 28–29 at AMA headquarters in Chicago. The focus of the meeting will be the Affordable Care Act and the business case for reducing health care disparities. Continuing meducal education (CME) credit in the form of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit is available.

View the tentative agenda. An AMA Doctors Back to School™ event is being planned for the morning of Sept. 28 in collaboration with the Chicago Scholars Program. Learn more about the AMA Doctors Back to School program.

A block of rooms has been secured at the Hilton Garden Inn, 10 East Grand Ave. Reserve your hotel room online or call (312) 595-0000. The AMA-negotiated rate is $179 per night and is valid until Sept. 13 or until the room block sells out, whichever comes first. The group code for this rate is ACH.