Recommendations of community pharmacists and health food store employees regarding undiagnosed symptoms of diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Consumers may seek health advice from health food store employees (HFSEs) and pharmacists. Delays in the diagnosis of time-critical illnesses may increase the likelihood of morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditures.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the information provided by HFSEs and pharmacists for symptoms of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
A standardized actor portrayed a consumer with symptoms of Type 1 diabetes at eight community pharmacies and 12 health food stores (HFSs) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Chapel Hill and Durham, North Carolina. He inquired about potential diagnoses, the need to see a physician, and product recommendations.


METHODS
The subjects included twelve HFSEs and eight licensed pharmacists.


RESULTS
Four of eight (50%) pharmacists and two of 12 (17%) HFSEs mentioned diabetes as a potential diagnosis. Although six pharmacists recommended urgent physician follow-up, only two HFSEs did so; two HFSEs explicitly advised against a physician visit. One pharmacist recommended a product. Nine HFSEs recommended at least one product (monthly costs, range: $24.70-$209.96).


CONCLUSIONS
Even when presented with classic symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, under-recognition of diabetes was common among HFSEs and community pharmacists. Delays in treatment present a health risk to consumers. Further research could confirm these results and inform educational interventions to improve diabetes recognition by both groups.
Kavalieratos
Dio
D
Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Weinberger
Morris
M
Rao
Jaya K
JK
D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis*; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058870:Food, Organic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D016544:Patient Simulation; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult