Type 2 Diabetes is on the rise as obesity runs rampant in more and more countries. The trend towards processed food as well as falling fitness levels have made Type 2 Diabetes a reality in age demographics younger than ever before.
The treatment for type 2 Diabetes is often lifelong and highly dependent upon patients following through on instructions about self-medication. The nature of the disease is such that if not kept under control, it can affect almost all the major organ systems in the body.
Numerous studies have found that a large percentage of the patients have not been able to correctly follow instructions due to poor communication about the associated side effects as well as complicated drug regimens.
All of this leads to the point that newer and more effective methods for patient education and treatment follow up are required.
Newer Contact Points
The traditional methods, where patients would meet the doctor for diagnosis, treatment and then regular follow up, falls through because of a variety of reasons. This is where a trained Pharmacist can play a vital role.
The Pharmacist has access to drug records of a patient and can monitor that prescriptions are being filled out at proper intervals. They also have the opportunity and proper setting to form a personal bond with the patient, helping them gauge the severity of Diabetes Mellitus.
By involving the pharmacist at the initial level of treatment dispensing, the doctor can help the patient get in touch with someone reliable and trust worthy to help with minor queries or doubts. The internet is a vast minefield of misinformation and every kind of person is selling their wares. Helping patients find reliable ports of information is going to play a huge role in the effectiveness of the treatment regimen going forward.
Statistically Proven Effectiveness
Our healthcare system is under unprecedented stress, with more and more patients fighting for the time of a limited number of Doctors. In fact, the number of Doctors increasing every year is much lesser than that needed.
According to latest records, approximately 6.3% of the population of United States has Diabetes Mellitus. This is a staggeringly huge number and increasing every year. In such a situation, it is imperative to include other health care professionals in the treatment process.
Observational Studies evaluating the effectiveness of Pharmacist administered patient education were measured statistically taking in account the major parameters of Diabetic control and all of them found that there was a statistically significant improvement in all indices.
Conclusion:
There is a gap in the care recommended by doctors and that actually followed by patients. This is resulting in increasing amount of complications and a greater strain on the healthcare facilities in the country.
With established pharmacies around the country, there lies an opportunity to help spread patient education and monitor treatment follow through. This model has been tried in select areas and some observational studies have been carried out with promising results. It is time to make it widespread to help arrest the spread of this silent killer.