Integrating Continuous Glucose Monitoring Into Pharmacy Elective Curriculum: A Practical Learning Experience

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Endocrinology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Pharmacists are crucial for diabetes education, yet formal training on continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) is limited in pharmacy curricula.
• A third-year pharmacy elective incorporated a CGM wear activity to address this educational gap.
• The FreeStyle Libre 3 system was utilized for a practical, hands-on learning experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of a week-long educational CGM wear experience on third-year pharmacy students.
• To evaluate changes in students' knowledge, confidence, and empathy regarding CGM use and diabetes management.
• To understand the student perspective on utilizing CGMs in patient care simulations.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, single-center study involving third-year pharmacy students in an elective course.
• Students received a lecture on CGMs and wore a FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor for one week.
• Pre- and post-activity surveys measured changes in knowledge, confidence, and empathy, with statistical analysis using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Main Results:

• Seventeen students completed the study, showing statistically significant increases in knowledge scores (54.4% to 70%, P < 0.005).
• Self-reported confidence in CGM use significantly improved across all measured items (P < 0.05).
• Students reported increased empathy related to CGM wear, with challenges noted regarding alarm disruptions.

Conclusions:

• A week-long continuous glucose monitor wear activity significantly enhances pharmacy students' knowledge and confidence in diabetes care technology.
• The experiential learning approach fosters greater empathy towards patients using CGMs.
• Integrating practical CGM experience into pharmacy education is vital for preparing future pharmacists in diabetes management.