title: A drop-in clinic for patients with poorly-controlled diabetes: a community pharmacy feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preparatory work suggests that there may be a role for the pharmacist in managing sub-optimal medication adherence and dose titration of prescribed medicines in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients have reported that they are receptive towards pharmacists becoming involved in their care providing that this is integrated into the care received from their medical practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a community pharmacy diabetes drop-in clinic is feasible and acceptable to patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five community pharmacies in Norfolk, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Poorly controlled patients, as defined by a national general practitioner incentive scheme, were invited to participate in the study by a letter posted by their medical practice. One 4-h, pharmacist clinic, where participants were able to "drop-in", was conducted in five pharmacies every week for 4-6 weeks. Questionnaires before and after the consultation were used to determine the clinic's effect on satisfaction with, and beliefs about, medicines and adherence along with participant satisfaction. Pharmacists had the opportunity to provide feedback via "debrief" interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  As a feasibility study, a combination of outcomes were explored including information satisfaction and adherence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three (9.6 %) of the 342 paients with type 2 diabetes posted letters were recruited from four pharmacies. Follow-up questionnaire completion rate was 88 %. The clinic demonstrated little change in the parameters measured over 3 months. All of the participants rated their general impression of the service as good or very good and all would be happy to recommend the service to others with diabetes. Sixteen participants (59 %) stated that it would make them more likely to consult their pharmacist in the future. Pharmacists enjoyed providing the service as it allowed them to interact more formally, and for longer, with patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research has demonstrated that a community pharmacy drop-in clinic is feasible and likely to be acceptable to both patients and pharmacists; however, cost effectiveness of such a service should be explored in future studies.
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK, m.twigg@uea.ac.uk.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Twigg
authors: Debi
authors: D
authors: Bhattacharya
authors: James A
authors: JA
authors: Desborough
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Wright
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000639:trends; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000639:trends; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires