The iPATH trial, spearheaded by Stanford University and funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), aims to enhance diabetes care in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across California, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Puerto Rico.
This five-year study, led by principal investigator Sara Singer, focuses on implementing a practice transformation strategy to improve outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes, particularly those from minority and underserved communities.
The initiative involves a collaborative effort from researchers at Stanford, Ohio State, Harvard, and Impactivo LLC. The trial’s first phase includes a multiple case comparison study of 12 FQHCs to understand current care practices and identify recent innovations.
These findings will inform the development of a modularized, customized practice transformation intervention, which will be tested in eight FQHCs through a stepped-wedge, randomized controlled trial.
Singer highlights the challenges faced by the study team, including a delayed start and the complexity of coordinating a multisite study. Despite these hurdles, the team is on track to meet its milestones. The trial aims to provide evidence for improving diabetes care in FQHCs and reducing health disparities nationwide.
“We hope that the lessons learned from our multiple case comparison study and iPATH practice transformation intervention will provide evidence for improving diabetes care in FQHCs and reducing health disparities across the nation,” Singer said.
See “iPATH Trial Aims to Improve Diabetes Care in Community Health Centers” (August 26, 2024)