An interdisciplinary approach using case management and clinical pharmacy improves results for people with diabetes.

BACKGROUND

People with diabetes face many challenges to following healthcare provider recommendations for self-management and few are able to achieve and maintain reductions in average blood glucose level. Interdisciplinary teams are a promising strategy to help patients with diabetes improve outcomes.

METHODS

An observational analysis of electronic health record data to evaluate the impact of a clinical pharmacist, case manager, or a combination of both on clinical outcomes for patients with diabetes.

FINDINGS

All patients (N = 970), regardless of visit type, had a statistically significant improvement in A1C, LDL, and total cholesterol over 1 year. Patients who saw both a case manager and clinical pharmacist had the greatest improvements with the steepest changes across all measures.

CONCLUSION

Clinics should create interdisciplinary teams that include a clinical pharmacist and a case manager to have the best outcomes for their patients with diabetes.