The Centre for Complex Diabetes Care (CCDC) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre provides enhanced support to patients with diabetes and that require more intensive treatment strategies. Specialized interprofessional teams within the CCDC use a coordinated approach to diabetes management and treatment to meet each patient’s individual needs and that of their families. Typically patients attend several different appointments throughout their course with the program depending on their specific needs. Often patients are also connected with other hospital programs due to their other medical conditions.
In April 2025, the CCDC piloted a new patient flow model titled ‘Multi-disciplinary Clinics’ and now coined “Multi Clinic”. This new model aimed to provide patients who had difficulty attending appointments, numerous other appointments, and those who may have been through the program before. The goals of this new model were to improve attendance, decrease the amount of appointments and ensure timely access to the right clinician at the right time.
To do this, patients were scheduled throughout the clinic and multiple disciplines were present and available at the time of these appointments including Nurse Practitioner, Nurse, Dietitian, Social Work, Pharmacist, Indigenous Liaison, Occupational Therapist, and Physiotherapist. These clinics were trialed several times a month over the following five months. Data collected showed that attendance was better than with usual care and patients verbally expressed satisfaction with having the opportunity see multiple clinicians at the same appointment. Staff enjoyed improved collaboration at the time of the visit and less delays in patient care. Due to the success of Multi Clinics, CCDC has increased the frequency of this style of care. Patients who attend the CCDC now have the option of this new model or the traditional stream of care. Go team!
As we recognize World Diabetes Day, we celebrate initiatives like the Multi Clinic model that embody this year’s theme of promoting access to quality diabetes care for all. The CCDC team’s commitment to innovation and collaboration reflects the global effort to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with diabetes every day.
