Authors (including presenting author) :
Yau NKM(1), Chang CCM(1), Leung JYY(2), Lam JKW(3), Wong JKT(3), Yick PK(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Department of Pharmacy, Ruttonjee Hospital
(2) Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Ruttonjee Hospital
(3) Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
Introduction :
Overseas studies have found pharmacist-led clinic services could aid attainment of treatment goals and improve therapeutic outcomes. Pharmacist clinic service is a newer healthcare concept in Hong Kong.
Objectives :
This study aimed to evaluate diabetes-related outcomes in a patient group managed by pharmacists in a pharmacist clinic service, as compared to a comparator group managed with usual care.
Methodology :
This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in the specialist outpatient department of a public hospital in Hong Kong. Patients in the intervention arm attended a pharmacist clinic session between each physician visit. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c.
Result & Outcome :
127 patients met the inclusion criteria and data was collected at baseline
and at 6 months. 68 patients and 59 patients were in the intervention
group and comparator group, respectively. Patients in the intervention
group achieved significant HbA1c reduction, which was not observed in
the comparator group (–0.48% vs. +0.17%, p=0.001). Proportions of
patients with lipid panel and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
measurement within one year increased from 85.3% to 100.0%
(p=0.001) and 80.5% to 95.6% (p=0.0001), respectively. 119
pharmacist consultation sessions were conducted, with 36 additional
telephone follow-ups arranged. Pharmacists made 32 recommendations
regarding drug therapy. Of which, 31 (96.9%) were accepted by
physicians and implemented as intervention.
To conclude, a pharmacist clinic service in a public hospital was associated with favourable diabetes-related outcomes, including improved glycaemic control and increased laboratory monitoring and complication screening frequency, when added to usual care.
