Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Event Title
Evaluation of Student Responses to a Hypoglycemic Event During the Diabetes Simulation at Butler University
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Start Date
11-4-2014 10:15 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 11:45 AM
Sponsor
Cathy Ramey (Butler University)
Description
Background: Hypoglycemia is a major complication associated with managing diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes has been shown to occur at rates of 35-75 per 100 patients-years.
Objective: To assess pharmacy students' understanding of how to appropriately treat a hypoglycemic event
Methods: During the diabetes simulation administered as part of a Therapeutics/Self-Care assignment at Butler University, students spent four days simulating the life of a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes. Students reflected daily on the challenges of managing diabetes via an online journal. Students received a surprise email describing symptoms of hypoglycemia and were asked to respond to the event. Their response was described in their daily journal entry. The current study is a retrospective review of the graded rubrics used to evaluate student responses to the surprise email. Appropriateness of treatment and potential impact of the event were evaluated.
Results: Approximately 95% of 134 students identified the symptoms described as a hypoglycemic event and 79% re-tested blood glucose after consuming a source of fasting-acting carbohydrates. Approximately 60% of students identified the appropriate fast-acting carbohydrate to initially raise blood glucose while only 44% identified following up the fast-acting carbohydrate with a longer-acting carbohydrate/protein/fat snack.
Conclusion: Pharmacists play a role in helping patients manage diabetes. To ensure comprehensive patient counseling, it is important that students have an understanding of the appropriate response to hypoglycemia. This study revealed areas of improvement for students to focus on relating to hypoglycemia patient education.
Evaluation of Student Responses to a Hypoglycemic Event During the Diabetes Simulation at Butler University
Indianapolis, IN
Background: Hypoglycemia is a major complication associated with managing diabetes. Severe hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes has been shown to occur at rates of 35-75 per 100 patients-years.
Objective: To assess pharmacy students' understanding of how to appropriately treat a hypoglycemic event
Methods: During the diabetes simulation administered as part of a Therapeutics/Self-Care assignment at Butler University, students spent four days simulating the life of a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes. Students reflected daily on the challenges of managing diabetes via an online journal. Students received a surprise email describing symptoms of hypoglycemia and were asked to respond to the event. Their response was described in their daily journal entry. The current study is a retrospective review of the graded rubrics used to evaluate student responses to the surprise email. Appropriateness of treatment and potential impact of the event were evaluated.
Results: Approximately 95% of 134 students identified the symptoms described as a hypoglycemic event and 79% re-tested blood glucose after consuming a source of fasting-acting carbohydrates. Approximately 60% of students identified the appropriate fast-acting carbohydrate to initially raise blood glucose while only 44% identified following up the fast-acting carbohydrate with a longer-acting carbohydrate/protein/fat snack.
Conclusion: Pharmacists play a role in helping patients manage diabetes. To ensure comprehensive patient counseling, it is important that students have an understanding of the appropriate response to hypoglycemia. This study revealed areas of improvement for students to focus on relating to hypoglycemia patient education.