title: DOTx. MED: Pharmacist-delivered interventions to improve care for patients with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the development and implementation of the Discussions on Taking Medications (DOTx.MED) Diabetes Pilot Program and to report the impact on adherence to diabetes therapy, improvement in communication of pharmacists, and satisfaction of patients, pharmacists, and health care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 community pharmacy residency sites across the United States enrolled 216 patients with diabetes to participate in the pilot project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pharmacists delivered behavioral interventions using motivational interviewing techniques and increased personal communication with patients during routine visits to the pharmacy during a 6-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the initial 6-month pilot program, modest improvements in medication adherence were documented. Patients in the intervention group showed a 6.55% increase in proportion of days covered (PDC) compared with the previous 180 days preintervention and a 2.8% increase in PDC compared with the control group. Based on survey results, overall reports of satisfaction from patients, pharmacists, and health care providers were favorable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Access to educational programs, tools, and resources provided through the DOTx.MED Diabetes Pilot Program improved pharmacist knowledge of diabetes care and increased the amount of time spent communicating with patients. The program demonstrated that small, focused interactions addressing issues of concern to patients can improve patient adherence to medication therapy.
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical / Q000458:organization & administration; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009042:Motivation; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D024382:Professional Role; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States