title: Impact of a first-year student pharmacist diabetes self-care education program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a first-year diabetes self-care education program by measuring student pharmacists' confidence and knowledge retention, and the clinical applicability of the skills learned.
  
  
  METHODS
  Integrated into a Pharmacy Practice Course, a 9-hour program consisting of lectures, a home glucose monitor assignment, and active-learning workshops was completed by 2 cohorts of first-year student pharmacists. Three survey instruments were developed and administered to the student pharmacists prior to the program, immediately after the program, and 9 months after the program to assess confidence, knowledge retention, and the clinical applicability of the knowledge and skills learned.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cohort 1, 54 student pharmacists (response rate 90%) perceived that their confidence and ability improved significantly (increased by 88% and 110%, respectively, from baseline, p<0.001). Overall knowledge of diabetes increased as well as indicated by a 40% increase in test scores (p<0.001). About two-thirds of student pharmacists used their training to assist patients with diabetes within 9 months of completing the program. Findings in cohort 2 mirrored those observed with cohort 1, indicating good generalizability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An innovative first-year diabetes self-care education program significantly improved student pharmacists' knowledge and confidence in providing diabetes self-care education, and the majority immediately used their leaned skills to assist diabetes patients and caregivers. Training first-year student pharmacists in diabetes care so they are prepared to use these skills as early as their first year of pharmacy school may be an effective approach to increasing the number of providers available to counsel and care for this expanding patient population.
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California ; Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Candis M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morello
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neighbors
authors.affiliation: San Diego Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luu
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Shawna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mutrux
authors.affiliation: Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California ; Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Brookie M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Best
mesh_terms: D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003376:Counseling; D003479:Curriculum; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists; D012648:Self Care; D013339:Students, Pharmacy
keywords: diabetes; knowledge retention; pharmacy education; self-care; survey