Beyond The Counter: Mastering The Recommendation for the Use of Blood Glucose Monitoring Devices

About this course

The role of the community pharmacist is evolving beyond medication dispensing to a central position in patient education and disease management. With the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes and the wider availability of over the counter (OTC) medical devices, pharmacists are now on the front lines of providing crucial support and guidance.

Accurate self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is a cornerstone of effective diabetes management. However, studies have shown that a significant number of patients make errors in preparing for, performing, and interpreting their self-blood glucose tests, leading to inaccurate readings and poor health outcomes.

While manufacturers provide instructions, these may not be sufficient for all patients, especially those who are newly diagnosed with diabetes, have low health literacy, or face language barriers. This is where the pharmacist's involvement becomes invaluable.

This course addresses the critical need for pharmacists to be proficient not only in recommending the right blood glucose monitoring device for a patient's specific needs, but also in providing hands-on, practical counselling.