The Impact of a Community Pharmacy Diabetes Self-Management Education Program on Diabetes Distress

Background: Negative psychosocial implications stemming from the presence of diabetes, known as diabetes distress, place people with diabetes at twice the likelihood of having clinical depression than those who do not have the disease. While many community pharmacies have incorporated diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs into their practices, there are no known studies that evaluate the impact that this model may have on diabetes distress. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact that a community pharmacy DSME program has on diabetes distress. Methods: Retrospective chart review for pre- and post-DSME Problem Areas in Diabetes scale scores, pertinent health history (type and duration of diabetes, A1C, and medications), and demographic information (age, gender) of patients who completed Blount Discount Pharmacy's DSME program. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Of the 17 charts that were reviewed, there was an overall decrease in Problem Areas in Diabetes scale scores from baseline (P = .029). Greater reduction was observed in patients with a long-standing history of diabetes compared with those who were diagnosed with diabetes within the previous 12 months of DSME. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a community pharmacy DSME program may reduce diabetes distress and warrant future study.