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Diabetes therapy

Limited Time and Resources Hinder Patient Counseling on Continuous Glucose Monitors

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research has shown that community pharmacists face challenges in providing effective patient education on continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), which are crucial for diabetes management. According to a recent study, limited time and resources may result in inadequate or absent counseling, potentially impacting the accuracy and accessibility of CGM use.

Key Takeaways:

  • 125 community pharmacies in Austin, TX were visited in person to assess CGM counseling offered by pharmacists.
  • Trained auditors simulated a patient requesting pharmacist counseling on a CGM device, using Freestyle Libre 3 and Dexcom G7 devices in two phases.
  • Competency outcomes measured included glycemic targets, device components, placement technique, and glucose checking/assessing.
  • 114 (91.2%) community pharmacies participated in both phases, with counseling provided more often for Freestyle Libre (88.6%) compared to Dexcom (71.1%).
  • Barriers to effective counseling include low pharmacist comfort with CGMs and potential lack of familiarity with device types.
  • Additional research found that community pharmacists are often dispensing CGMs in community pharmacies, placing a growing responsibility on pharmacists to provide patient education.

Statistics:

  • 91.2% of community pharmacies participated in both phases of the study.
  • Counseling was provided 88.6% of the time for Freestyle Libre and 71.1% of the time for Dexcom devices.
  • The study assessed 125 community pharmacies in Austin, TX.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Education Findings from University of Texas Austin (Assessing the Accessibility and Accuracy of Pharmacist Counseling for Continuous Glucose Monitoring: a Secret Shopper Study of Community Pharmacies). Diabetes Week. November 3, 2025; p 323.
  • "Assessing the Accessibility and Accuracy of Pharmacist Counseling for Continuous Glucose Monitoring: a Secret Shopper Study of Community Pharmacies," Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2025;65(6).

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