EVALUATION OF EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF 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 self-care 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.