Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, contributing to high morbidity and mortality due to complications such as cardiovascular events. Effective management of DM requires a shift from reactive to proactive care, with a focus on prevention and disease stabilization. Pharmacists are central to this process by managing medication, supporting adherence, early detection and encouraging lifestyle changes. However, a lack of systematic tools for monitoring and enhancing care constrains their potential impact. To address this, the diabetes barometer—a collaborative audit and feedback (A&F) tool—was developed with input from diabetes patients, pharmacists, general practitioners, endocrinologists, and population health managers to support collaborative diabetes care. Using the RAND-modified Delphi method, a set of validated quality indicators (QIs) was defined based on international guidelines, for pharmacist-led diabetes follow-up in Belgium, utilizing extractable medication history data. Based on these indicators, the barometer provides structured feedback and actionable insights to assist pharmacists in proactive diabetes management.
Approach: This study aimed to evaluate the diabetes barometer’s applicability in helping pharmacists enhance diabetes care quality and assessed their satisfaction with its features. Conducted as part of the “Caring Leuven” pilot project, an initiative focused on integrated, population-based care for chronic and vulnerable patients, the study involved pharmacists providing feedback through online surveys and semi-structured interviews. This feedback addressed the barometer’s technical features (such as data visualization and usability), its role in promoting proactive engagement with high-risk patients, and its impact on multidisciplinary collaboration. The study also explored barriers and facilitators associated with the tool and its effects on pharmacists’ practices.
Results: Findings indicate that a majority of pharmacists agree that the diabetes barometer has a positive impact on their work, helping to improve patient follow-up through relevant feedback. There was strong interest among pharmacists in establishing local consultations with physicians, reflecting a growing commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration. However, pharmacists also cited time constraints as a significant barrier. Additionally, pharmacists expressed a need for further training to effectively act on the data and better leverage the insights provided. Regarding technical aspects, most pharmacists reported satisfaction with the visualization of results, feedback presentation, content, and benchmarking features.
Implications: This study highlights the value of equipping pharmacists with evidence-based tools to enhance their role in proactive integrated care. The diabetes barometer demonstrates potential for improving care quality by guiding pharmacists in proactive diabetes management, advancing their role in population health, and supporting multidisciplinary collaboration. Findings suggest that further refinement of the tool, along with ongoing support and training, could encourage broader adoption. Additionally, this research underscores the role of A&F tools in primary care, contributing to quality improvement, evaluation methods, and greater transparency in managing chronic diseases. These efforts ultimately aim to improve population health by enabling pharmacists to participate more effectively in proactive and integrated care.