How Pharmacists Help Patients Spot Patterns in Glucose Readings

In an interview with Pharmacy Times for Diabetes Awareness Month, Brooke Hudspeth, PharmD, chief practice officer at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, discussed how community pharmacists can help patients with diabetes recognize patterns in their blood glucose readings.

Hudspeth said pharmacists are trained to help patients move beyond viewing each glucose reading as an isolated number and instead ask what patterns the numbers show, a skill emphasized in pharmacy training. For example, a patient may see consistently elevated readings at the same time each day, such as 4 o'clock in the afternoon, day after day. Others may see large swings before and after a particular meal, such as supper, suggesting that meal needs a closer look.

By examining how readings change in relation to food, physical activity, medications, and the timing of those medications, pharmacists can help patients see how everyday choices and activities affect their glucose. Hudspeth described this as giving patients a visual that connects daily activities to glucose control.

When a pattern suggests a change in therapy may be needed, Hudspeth said pharmacists, as members of the diabetes care team, have an opportunity to communicate with the rest of the health care team to adjust the plan and meet patients where they are.

Ultimately, Hudspeth said monitoring should lead to an action, but that action doesn't always have to be a change. A pattern may confirm that what a patient is doing is working well and should be reinforced. It may also signal that a lifestyle change is needed, in which case pharmacists can coach patients through it. Or it may warrant a broader conversation with the health care team about changing the treatment or medication plan.