ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACIST'S ROLE IN COUNSELLING AND EDUCATING DIABETIC PATIENTS ABOUT INSULIN THERAPY

Abstract

Background: Insulin therapy is the cornerstone treatment for diabetic patients. Insulin administration errors are common and may pose a significant risk to the life of the patient. Pharmacists can play an important role in educating and counseling diabetic patients about the proper use of insulin to prevent such errors. Objective: to evaluate the role of community pharmacists in educating diabetic patients about the proper use of insulin. Setting: This study was conducted on a convenient sample of 54 pharmacies in Baghdad, Iraq during December 2017. Methods: This study was a cross sectional conducted based on simulated patient method. A scenario including a prescription for lente and regular insulin was used in assessment pharmacist counseling role. Main outcome measure: assessment of pharmacists' counseling and educating role about insulin therapy by comparing the given information to simulated patient with standard information based on the expert recommendations for best practice in insulin injection technique. Results: This study showed that 16.7% of the community pharmacists just dispense insulin and refer the patient to the physician for counseling and education. All pharmacists who counsel and educate the simulated patient about insulin failed to do so properly. The pharmacists who educate the simulated patient about insulin usually focus on the time of and site of injecting insulin. Conclusion: Community pharmacists lack the adequate knowledge to educate and counsel diabetic patients about their insulin therapy.