Effect of Team-Based Care on Chronic Disease Control: Hypertension and Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction Chronic diseases are a major challenge for healthcare systems. Primary care providers face time constraints, leaving urgent care needs unmet. Team-based care (TBC) has emerged as an effective approach, fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes and disease management. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of TBC on chronic disease management in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, with a focus on hypertension and diabetes control. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in all primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, from 2021 to 2025. The study included 23,495 patients, including 13,492 diabetic and 10,003 hypertensive patients. Data were collected from electronic health records. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 27, and paired sample t-tests were used to assess the effectiveness of TBC. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at p < 0.05. Results The study included 23,492 patients, including 13,492 diabetic and 10,003 hypertensive patients. TBC intervention significantly improved diabetic patients' glycemic control, evidenced by a mean HbA1c reduction from 7.5% to 7.2% across all demographic subgroups. Furthermore, TBC led to a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) among hypertensive patients across most demographic groups, with an overall mean decrease from 134.3 to 131.2 mmHg.  Conclusion: The study confirms the effectiveness of TBC in managing hypertension and diabetes. To maximize benefits, tailored interventions, regional adaptations, and comprehensive training for healthcare providers are crucial.