2020 Incentive Grant Recipients

Residents and their Preceptors

Kristen Bessler

Project Proposal: Indiana pharmacists’ perceptions of diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), diabetes prevention program (DPP), or medication therapy management (MTM services: a state-wide study

Kristen Bessler, PharmD currently serves as the PGY1 Community Pharmacy Resident at HealthLinc in Mishawaka, Indiana. She graduated from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, College of Pharmacy. Dr. Bessler hopes to determine the interest and barriers identified by Indiana pharmacists when developing, maintaining and expanding DSMES, DPP and MTM services. Additionally, the information collected from this study will be used to determine the geographic areas that offer these services and the saturation of these services in regions of Indiana. The overall goal of this is study is to expand DSMES, DPP and MTM services across the state of Indiana. 

From the beginning of residency, Dr. Bessler was interested in diabetes education as a research topic as the prevalence of diabetes continues to grow in the United States. There are different programs and tools to facilitate diabetes education and help prevent or delay long term complications associated with diabetes such as DSMES, DPP and MTM services. The big question is, how do we expand these services across Indiana? To answer this question, we must first identify pharmacists’ interest and determine the barriers they have identified when developing, maintaining and expanding DSMES, DPP and MTM services.

"I am honored to have received this grant and for the opportunity to work for an organization that truly lives by its mission, vision and values allowing healthcare professionals to collaborate and provide innovative services for our patients."