Pharmacist-led Care for Diabetes
(D-PATH Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests whether a pharmacist-led diabetes care pathway can manage type 2 diabetes more effectively than visits to a family doctor or nurse alone. The goal is to help participants reach target blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease and kidney problems. Individuals with type 2 diabetes who struggle to maintain blood sugar levels below 7.0% might be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative diabetes management strategies.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on adding pharmacist support to your existing care, so you may not need to stop your medications.
What prior data suggests that this pharmacist-led care pathway is safe for diabetes management?
Research has shown that involving pharmacists in diabetes care is safe and effective for managing type 2 diabetes. One study found that when pharmacists assisted with diabetes care, patients' blood sugar levels improved. Specifically, the time patients' blood sugar remained within a healthy range increased by 8.2% after three months and 12.1% after six months.
Pharmacist-led programs also ensure patients take their medications correctly and safely. These programs often follow guidelines from organizations like the Canadian Diabetes Association to maintain patient safety and health.
Overall, these findings suggest that pharmacist-led care is well-tolerated and does not pose significant safety concerns. This approach may enhance diabetes management without adding health risks.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the pharmacist-led care pathway for diabetes because it integrates a personalized approach with technology to manage type 2 diabetes more effectively. This method utilizes a shared decision-making model, guided by the Canadian Diabetes Association Guidelines, to tailor treatment plans specifically for each patient, aiming to reach target A1C levels and minimize complications. Unlike standard care, which often involves general advice from physicians, this pathway offers algorithm-guided patient assessments and frequent follow-ups every six weeks, ensuring continuous support and adjustments to treatment as needed. This innovative approach not only empowers pharmacists but also enhances patient engagement and adherence to their diabetes management plan.
What evidence suggests that the pharmacist-led care pathway is effective for managing type 2 diabetes?
Research has shown that pharmacist-led care can effectively manage Type 2 diabetes. In this trial, participants in the pharmacist-led care pathway arm will receive care through a shared decision-making approach designed to guide diabetes management. Studies indicate that this approach can increase the time blood sugar levels remain in a healthy range by over 12% in six months. Additionally, it results in a small but positive improvement in blood sugar control. Patients often report greater satisfaction with this type of care. Finally, pharmacist-led programs help manage heart health risks, which is crucial for people with diabetes.12678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Ross Tsuyuki, BScPharm, PharmD, MSc
Principal Investigator
University of Alberta
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults over 18 in Alberta with type 2 diabetes, especially those not meeting their target blood sugar levels (HbA1c under 7.0%). It's designed to help them manage their condition better.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive pharmacist-led care using a shared decision-making approach to manage type 2 diabetes, with follow-ups every 6 weeks for six months
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Pharmacist-led diabetes care pathway
Trial Overview
The study tests a pharmacist-led care pathway for managing type 2 diabetes against the usual care provided by family doctors or nurse practitioners. The goal is to see if pharmacists can improve patients' health outcomes.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Participants in the intervention arm will receive the care using a shared decision-making pharmacist care pathway approach designed to guide type 2 diabetes management to achieve target A1C levels and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. The pharmacist care pathway is modelled after the Canadian Diabetes Association Guidelines. This pathway (tool) will be built into a computer web-based program and include step-by-step, algorithm-guided patient assessment to achieve target A1C levels and reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. This will occur through follow-ups every 6 weeks for six months duration.
The control group will involve facilitated relay of information to participants' family physician or nurse practitioner. Participants in the control group will have their pharmacist collect information informing the patient's current diabetes control. Participants will then be given a letter that contains their A1C value, and they will be advised to present it to their family physician or nurse practitioner. No specific suggestions for diabetes management will be detailed in the letter. In the case where the patient does not have a family physician or nurse practitioner, they will be referred to a physician walk-in clinic. A follow-up appointment will be booked for all participants in the control group at 3-months to discuss dietary and lifestyle interventions in the management of type 2 diabetes to maintain participant interest in the study and again at 6-months' time for a final visit.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Alberta
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Pharmacist-Managed Diabetes Programs - PubMed Central
The majority of studies evaluating the impact of diabetes care by pharmacists primarily reported A1c outcomes that include A1c change and ...
Evaluation of pharmacist-led management of type 2 ...
Time in range improved by 8.2% at 3 months (P < 0.001) and by 12.1% at 6 months (P < 0.001). The glucose management indicator decreased by 0.27% at 3 months (P ...
Implementation and evaluation of a pharmacist-led ...
Determine the effect of a diabetes care pathway for pharmacists on patient satisfaction of pharmacist care in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Pharmacist-Led Intervention and Outcomes in Hispanic ...
These findings suggest that pharmacist-led intervention may be a strategy for improving some outcomes among Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes.
Costs and effectiveness of pharmacist-led group medical visits ...
Addition of pharmacist-led group medical visits in T2DM achieved similar improvements from baseline in cardiovascular risk factors than usual care.
Digital care pathway for type 2 diabetes patients
DCPs as a part of treatment may improve medication adherence and medication safety. Utilizing pharmacists' services in DCPs might be beneficial.
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pharmacytimes.com
pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacist-led-intervention-could-improve-type-2-diabetes-outcomes-for-hispanic-patientsPharmacist-Led Intervention Could Improve Type 2 ...
Pharmacist-led interventions could help to improve some outcomes for Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to the results ...
Impact of Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Self-Care Education on ...
This study showed that pharmacist-led self-care education was linked with significant reductions in glycated hemoglobin levels of the intervention group ...
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