Move over American Association of
Diabetes Educators (AADE), pharmacies may soon be taking over your
jobs. At least one retail pharmacy chain is stepping up to fill the
need and others will likely follow. Meijer, which is located in
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio is partnering with
the American Diabetes Association to get the program up and help
patients with all types of diabetes.
The need is arising because patients
are feeling overwhelmed by diabetes management shortly after
diagnosis and are generally unable to get help from their doctors for
education to say nothing about certified diabetes educators (CDEs)
that are not available to assist them. In the five state survey the
mass merchandise retailer conducted, it found that nearly 90% of
respondents could not fully identify the complications that can
result from poor management of diabetes, like cardiovascular disease
and blindness.
Meijer drug store VP Nat Love said.
"Nearly 40% of those surveyed told us that, in addition to
regular doctor visits, they are more willing to talk with pharmacists
and find that walk-in clinical services are convenient for getting
extra support in developing their personal care plans for diabetes."
This has to mean that like so many patients, they do not like the
mandates that CDEs use instead of actual counseling.
The challenges of managing diabetes or
being at risk for the disease can sometimes seem overwhelming. There
are many places consumers can turn to get answers to their questions,
like your local pharmacist. I have found this to be true and my
local pharmacist answers many questions in a non-judgmental way,
which I truly appreciate. I do not get mandates, but a truly
concerned and honest answer to my questions. Granted, there are some
days when she asks me to write down my question and she will get back
to me another day or email for further discussion. And, my
pharmacists are not part of the above chain.
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