The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that pharmacists working collaboratively with physicians and other providers in an ambulatory care setting can improve glucose, blood pressure, and lipid control, as well as improve quality of life, adherence to screening and general preventative measures.
It is evident that a multi-disciplinary approach is key to the success in controlling the disease of diabetes and its complications. The value of pharmacists' involvement in disease state management in producing positive outcomes for patients has been well documented in the literature. There have been several studies that have shown that pharmacists' involvement in diabetes care improves glycemic control. There are also studies that look at pharmacists' management of glycemic control and adherence to the ADA guidelines. Many of these studies are retrospective, lack a randomized control group, had a small study sample, or were short term. We undertook a prospective, randomized study to demonstrate that pharmacists working collaboratively with physicians and other providers in an ambulatory care setting can improve glucose, blood pressure, and lipid control, as well as improve quality of life, adherence to screening and general preventative measures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
285
Patients attended a minimum of 3 clinic visits (month 0, 6, 12) with one of the clinical pharmacists, where targeted physical assessment, education, and medication changes and follow up were recommended. Additional visits were arranged as clinically appropriate for drug monitoring. Referrals were facilitated to other clinicians where indicated, including ophthalmology, podiatry, CDEs, nutrition, and primary care. The pharmacists' recommendations for medication adjustment, laboratory monitoring and referrals were based upon the most recent guidelines and clinical trial evidence. Any therapy adjustment, lab testing or referrals required approval by the referring physician. A1c, lipid and BP values were collected prospectively at months 0, 6 and 12.
Control patients received usual care directed by their physician, and the same data were gathered from chart review during the 12-month study period.
Lahey Clinic
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
Primary outcomes included the achievement of targets for A1c (< or = 7%), LDL cholesterol (< or = 100 mg/dL) and blood pressure (< or = 130/80), changes in quality of life as measured by the SF-36 Health Survey, and patient satisfaction.
Time frame: 12 months
Secondary outcomes included diabetes-related hospitalizations and acute care visits during the study period for both the intervention and control groups.
Time frame: 12 months
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