Evaluation of a Pharmacist-Managed Diabetes Program in a Primary Care Setting Within an Integrated Health Care System

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists have important roles in managing the therapy of patients with type 2 diabetes and improving patient care. Pharmacists titrate medications; reinforce patient education; and address care gaps, such as medication adherence, vaccinations, and overdue health screenings. Through these efforts and more, pharmacists help to improve patient care and achieve Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures. Thus, it is important to demonstrate improved health outcomes through pharmacist contributions to diabetes management, which can then provide an opportunity to expand the role of clinical pharmacists in other medical centers and practice settings within an integrated health care system. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist-managed program within a primary care setting by determining the percentage of patients who reached the HEDIS goal of hemoglobin A1c (A1c) < 8.0%, the time needed to reach this goal, and A1c reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study identified patients aged 18-74 years who had uncontrolled A1c ≥ 8.0%. Patients in the Complete Care Program (CCP) had their diabetes therapy managed by a pharmacist and were propensity score matched to a comparison group of usual care (UC) patients. Multivariate regression analyses and a Cox proportional hazards model compared the change in A1c from baseline and the time to A1c goal between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the CCP and UC patients (n = 980 patients per group). CCP patients were significantly more likely to achieve the HEDIS goal of A1c < 8% at 3 months (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.93-3.10, P < 0.0001) and at 6 months (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08-1.61, P = 0.007) compared with the UC patients. CCP patients also reached the A1c goal significantly faster: 3.4 months versus 4.6 months (P < 0.0001), even after controlling for covariates (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.09-1.41, P = 0.001). Change in baseline A1c was -0.95% versus -0.54% (P < 0.0001) at 3 months and -1.19% versus -0.99% (P = 0.008) at 6 months for CCP versus UC patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetes therapy management by clinical pharmacists was associated with a greater percentage of patients achieving the HEDIS goal of A1c < 8.0%, reaching the A1c goal faster, and a greater A1c reduction from baseline at 3 and 6 months of follow-up compared with patients receiving usual care.