Screening, monitoring, and educating patients with diabetes in an independent community pharmacy in Puerto Rico.
OBJECTIVE
Increase the awareness about the importance of Diabetes mellitus (DM) management and assess the educational and monitoring needs of patients visiting a community pharmacy in Puerto Rico.


METHODS
A community service activity focusing on DM was held in a community pharmacy. The educational and monitoring needs of the participants were assessed using a questionnaire. Glucose tests were conducted in the pharmacy by medical technologists. Educational activities consisted of presentations and printed materials.


RESULTS
Two-thirds of the fasting people had blood glucose levels higher than 140 mg/dl. Seventy-nine percent of the patients with diabetes were not aware of the glycosilated hemoglobin test. Most of the patients were interested in learning more about how to manage their condition.


CONCLUSIONS
A greater understanding is needed among patients with DM that blood glucose control decreases diabetes related complications. Community pharmacists are in an excellent position to collaborate with other health professionals in screening, monitoring and educating patients with DM to prevent long-term complications.
Jiménez
F J
FJ
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936-5067. F_Javier@rcmaca.upr.clu.edu
Monsanto
H A
HA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010594:Pharmacies; D011647:Puerto Rico