KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A community pharmacy residency program study has now led to expanded access to diabetes care in Tennessee.
A release from the University of Tennessee said the pilot study was conducted by UT’s Health Sciences College of Pharmacy’s residency program and Kroger Health. Researchers found that standardized A1C testing in community pharmacies improved access to screening. The testing is traditionally performed at medical offices; however, UT said time constraints and limited physician availability hamper consistent testing in some communities.
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The project focused on integrating A1C testing into the workflow of community pharmacies to improve consistency, accessibility, and patient engagement in diabetes care. Kroger stores across the state, including in Knoxville, northern Alabama, and parts of southern Kentucky, were used in the study’s pilot program.
“We are not trying to replace doctors or other medical workers,” said Ken Hohmeier, PharmD, director of the PGY-1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program. “Instead, we are trying to show how pharmacists can be a key part of the healthcare team to improve health outcomes in long-term managed diseases.”…