Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension

Alexander Turchin, M.D.

Dr. Turchin’s research investigates factors influencing quality of care and outcomes in diabetes mellitus using data in electronic medical records. 

Diabetes is a common disease with significant morbidity and mortality. However, quality of care of patients with diabetes remains suboptimal and majority of patients do not reach treatment targets in glucose, blood pressure and lipid control. Provider- and patient-based factors influencing quality of care in diabetes are poorly understood. Electronic medical records provide a rich but largely untapped source of information about patient care. In particular, the electronic medical record system at Partners HealthCare contains records of 4 million patients including thousands of patients with diabetes and presents an unparalleled opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of quality of care of diabetic patients.

Dr. Turchin’s is currently investigating 1) Clinical inertia in treatment of hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity and smoking in patients with diabetes, 2) Patient adherence to provider recommendations and clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes, 3) Treatment of hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients and 4) identification of documentation of factors influencing quality of care of diabetic patients in the text of physician notes in the electronic medical record. 

1. Turchin A,  Shubina M, Chodos AH, Einbinder JS, Pendergrass ML.  (2008) Effect of Board Certification on Anti-Hypertensive Treatment Intensification in Patients with Diabetes.  Circulation, 117(5): 623-8.

2. Matheny ME, Shubina M, Kimmel Z, Pendergrass ML, Turchin A.  (2008) Treatment Intensification and Blood Glucose Control Among Hospitalized Diabetic Patients.  Journal of General Internal Medicine, 23(2):  184-9.

3. Turchin A, (2007) Is Clinical Inertia a Common Barrier to Patient Care in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?  Nature Clinical Practice Endocrinology and Metabolism, 3(6): 452-3.

4. Turchin A, Shubina M, Pendergrass ML. (2007) Relationship of Physician Volume to Process Measures and Outcomes in Diabetes.  Diabetes Care, 30(6): 1442-7

5. Turchin A, Seifter JL, and Seely EW. (2003) Mind the Gap.  The New England Journal of Medicine, 349(15): 1465-9.

Contact Information:
(617) 732-5661

aturchin@partners.org