New Pharmacist Role in Diabetes Education in Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Randomized Step-Up Study

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is globally on the rise, in both developed and developing countries. Type 2 diabetes is a major public health issue in Sri Lanka. This study aims to investigate the effect of structured self-management health education intervention based on ‘PITS model’ (Pathophysiology, Indications, Treatment and Specifics) would result in a clinically significant improvement in glycaemic control of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with T2DM at two tertiary care hospitals in Sri Lanka, comply with the selection criteria were enrolled to the study. The intervention consisted with two repeated one to one education sessions followed up in six and twelve months. HbA1c, lipid profiles, waist circumference, BMI and other biomedical measurements were done in both groups. Analysis of covariance between groups were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Mean HbA1c level in both intervention and usual care group was 8.6% with deviation from their target glycaemic level (6.5%,48 mmol/mol) at baseline. At six months, there was a significant reduction (P<0.001; size of effect = 0.69) in HbA1c between the intervention and the usual care group controlling the baseline values. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the effectiveness of one to one diabetes self-management intervention among the adults with T2DM.