Presented By: Buruj Mohammed, Medical College of Wisconsin
Co-Authors: Maie Zagloul, Medical College of Wisconsin

Purpose 
In the US, uninsured patients lack access to crucial diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) programs after their diagnosis. Patients at the Saturday Clinic for the Uninsured (SCU), a student-led free clinic, do not have access to DSMES. Providing culturally sensitive DSMES is needed to equip both future healthcare clinicians and patients with the necessary knowledge on diabetes management. To develop this program, an understanding of the specific needs of patients with diabetes at SCU is required. This can be done through a needs assessment. 

Methods 
Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were contacted via phone; open-ended questions were posed to patients, directly aligned with the objectives of this project. Responses provided by patients were transcribed verbatim and analyzed via qualitative and quantitative methods. 

Results 
A total of 19 patients completed this needs assessment. The demographic characteristics of the participants included a diverse range of ages, genders, and racial and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting that of the patient population at SCU. Fifty-three percent of participants never received any form of diabetes counseling in the past; 89%, highlighted the need for more comprehensive education on diabetes self-management strategies. Participants consistently mentioned challenges related to managing their diabetes, including finances, medication access, and implementing lifestyle modifications. Most participants expressed a strong desire for more resources and education on managing their condition effectively. All patients were motivated to make lifestyle changes and emphasized the value of peer-support networks. 

Conclusions 
The results of this needs assessment highlight the importance of addressing access barriers, providing comprehensive educational resources, and enhancing support services to empower these patients in their diabetes self-management journey. These findings serve as a foundation for developing targeted curriculum for student educators aimed at improving the quality of diabetes care and support for this patient population at SCU.