The prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to increase worldwide leading to increased health and economic burden on healthcare system. Pharmacists are an essential part of healthcare delivery, play a significant role in patient outreach and can assist with medication titration. Our study was a retrospective review of clinical pharmacists in the management of patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, defined as a A1c level of >9.0%, and the efficacy of reduction in A1c using this intervention. This study involved six clinical pharmacists who provided diabetes management using ADA Standards of Care guidelines for outpatient family medicine and internal medicine clinics with 115 patients who completed the study. Patients referred included those with an A1c >9% and were contacted on a one to four week basis up to the discretion of pharmacist with patients followed for at least three months with a goal of a reduction in A1c to <9%. Results were significant for a decrease in A1c levels in 90% of patients. Average starting A1c was found at 10.5% ± 2.3 to 8.0 ± 1.6 with a decline in A1c over an average period of 6.7 months of 2.5% ± 2.4 (p value <0.001).
In conclusion, the use of clinical pharmacists in the management of type 2 diabetes showed a statistically significant reduction in A1c prior to referral to an endocrinologist. This model poses a possible solution to help lighten the burden that diabetes produces on the health care system.
Y.R. Sterrett: None. V. Reddy: None. A. Behnke: Research Support; Abbott. K. Lucas: None.
