Aims: To assess potential racial/ethnic and educational-level differences in the degree to which patients with diabetes who receive primary care from a Veterans Affairs Medical Center report that experiences with the diabetes care system are consistent with the Chronic Care Model (CCM).
Methods: A cross-sectional mailed survey of 296 patients included the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC), which measures components of the care system suggested by the CCM.
Results: Among 189 patients with complete information, non-white veterans had more than twice the odds of indicating that their diabetes care experience is in line with the CCM [measured by overall PACIC score > or =3.5] (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-4.1). Non-white veterans were more likely to report high levels of assistance with problem solving and follow-up. Patients not completing high school had three times the odds of reporting care in line with the CCM (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.2-7.6). Associations were also seen with implementation of the CCM in the areas of patient activation, perceived care teams, collaborative goal setting, and collaborative problem solving.
Conclusions: Non-white patients and those with less than a high school education had more than twice the odds of reporting that the diabetes care system is in line with the CCM.