2022 Incentive Grant Recipient

2022 Incentive Grant Recipient: Helena Mahsaradjian, PharmD

 

 

Project Proposal: Implementation and Impact of Outpatient Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Program 

Helena S. Mahsaradjian, PharmD currently serves as the PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Resident at the USC School of Pharmacy and CliniCare Pharmacy in Los Angeles, CA. She is a graduate of USC School of Pharmacy.

"As I started my residency training at CliniCare Pharmacy, an independent integrative community and clinical pharmacy practice, I saw the opportunity the provide a diabetes education program to our community members diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes."

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) provides an evidence-based foundation to empower people with diabetes to navigate self-management decisions and activities, according to the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. DSMES is a cost-effective tool proven to help improve health behaviors and outcomes for people with diabetes.  However, while there is considerable evidence that DSMES program has positive impact on diabetes-related health outcomes, utilization of this service is suboptimal.  According to CDC, in the United States, less than 5% of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes have used DSMES services. 

"I am very excited for this opportunity because it will help increase the utilization of DSMES services specifically in community pharmacy setting and will allow clinical pharmacists to implement and sustain a new clinical service while collaborating with other healthcare providers and promoting patient referrals. "