Evaluation of Educational Needs for Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Objective: Our study aimed to assess the role of pre-graduate pharmacy students' participation in a diabetic education program on improving diabetic self-care.Material and Method: This study included both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal follow-up. Altinbas University fifth-year pharmacy students gathered relevant information from diabetic patients that visited community pharmacies, under the supervision of their instructor pharmacist. The participants filled out the diabetic self-care scale on their first visit before they were given the education. Patients refilled the same selfcare questionnaire after three months. Statistical package for the social science (SPSS) 26 was used for all statistical analysis.Result and Discussion: The study comprised 86 diabetic patients. The second questionnaire results showed significant improvement in all patients. The total diabetic self-care scale scores were improved remarkably after the training session. HbA1c and BMI values decreased significantly. An educational program can improve diabetic self-care and diabetic outcomes. Active participation of final year pharmacy students in patient care can also improve pharmacists' participation and contribution to patient care delivery.