Implementation of a Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Management Protocol.

Abstract

Background: Little data exist regarding how pharmacist-led collaborative drug therapy management protocols are implemented in health systems. Barriers to collaborative drug therapy management protocol implementation exist, but they can be overcome by effective protocol education and communication, allowing pharmacists to manage more patients with chronic disease states, thereby enhancing quality health outcomes for patients and reducing health resource utilization.

Objective: To determine the preferred method of provider education regarding the implementation of a pharmacist-led type 2 diabetes collaborative drug therapy management protocol, and to assess pharmacist and provider satisfaction with the protocol implementation.

Methods: This single-center, prospective cohort study included pharmacists practicing within a pharmacist-led type 2 diabetes collaborative drug therapy management protocol, as well as providers practicing at 4 primary care clinics within a health system. All providers received an e-mail regarding education about the protocol. In addition, providers at 2 of the clinics received education about the protocol at a provider meeting, and providers at the other 2 clinics received a personalized provider report card. The personalized provider report card identified patients within the provider's panel who met criteria for referral to a pharmacist under the new protocol. The referred patients were tracked for 2 months, and provider and pharmacist satisfaction with the protocol were assessed.

Results: A total of 54 patients were referred for pharmacist management per the protocol. The majority (89%) of patients were referred by providers who received a personalized provider report card. Nearly all (96%) of the providers were satisfied with the protocol-driven services, and most (67%) pharmacists were satisfied with their role in managing patients with type 2 diabetes under the collaborative drug therapy management protocol.

Conclusion: The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes who were referred for pharmacist management per the protocol were referred by providers who received personalized provider report cards. Provider and pharmacist satisfaction with the new pharmacist-led protocol was high.