Proposed Gateway Research

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Community Pharmacy Based Diabetes Coaching Program

Research Team

Feng Chang, RPh, BScPhm, PharmD - Gateway and School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Dan Stringer, RPh, BSc, BScPhm - Gateway
Nishi Gupta, BScPhm candidate, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Laura Smith, Nursing Student, Queens University

Study Overview

More than 1,000 Ontarians are diagnosed as diabetics in a week. Diabetes affects every single aspect of one’s life. Therefore, it is important that the patient understand the consequences of not managing their disease well. Most diabetic complications kept at bay if blood sugar levels are controlled. Clinical guidelines recommend that patients lose weight, increase physical activity, dietary modifications to control and manage blood sugar levels. However, patients find making changes in their lives daunting. We hypothesize that patients can be successful at achieving self-articulated goals along with the continued support and guidance of a trained pharmacist. Patients will be see once a month, and will jointly develop a goal plan with the pharmacist. Each goal will be evaluated at the following session as well as some clinical measures will be acquired.

Objectives

  • To develop a community pharmacy based health coaching program for patients with diabetes to achieve small changes in their lives such as dietary habits, weight loss, blood sugar controls, increasing physical activity etc.
  • To demonstrate simple diabetes related monitoring tests can be performed in a pharmacy by a trained professional

Study Methods

  • Sample size: 15-20 patients
  • Inclusion criteria: Adult Diabetic patients
  • Setting: Community pharmacies in Southwest Ontario
  • Measurements: Blood Pressure, Weight, Waist circumference,  Blood sugar levels, Peripheral neuropathy
  • Patient articulated goal plan developed jointly with the trained individual in each session

Study Status

  • Data collection started in the Summer of 2011 by Laura Smith

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Electronic Communication with Family Physicians

Research Team

Feng Chang, RPh, BScPhm, PharmD - Gateway and School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Claudio Munoz MD, PhD - Gateway Rural Health Research Institute
Nishi Gupta, BScPhm candidate, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Rob Annis, MD, North Perth Family Health Team

Study Overview

With the rapid advent of technology in our daily lives, it only seems natural that patients would want to email their health care providers. In the US, patients are already communicating electronically with physicians and most patients and physicians are satisfied with the services they are being able to provide. In Canada, however, the advent of e-communication has been relatively slow. Eventhough more and more practices are adopting electronic medical records, very few practices are hoping to add electronic communication to their repertoire. 

Study Objectives

  • Assess patient, physician and support staff attitudes towards the possible implementation of a electronic communication protocol
  • Understand what tasks can be carried out by electronic communication with patients
  • Evaluate the impact of these new services on the practice and physician-patient relationship.

Study Methods

  • Sample size: 100-200 patients
  • Site: Family Physician Practices in Perth County
  • Qualitative Interviews with patients, staff, physicians
  • Quantitative measures: Phone calls and faxes

Study Status

  • Data collection started in the Summer of 2011 by Nishi Gupta 

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Improving Retirement Health and Wealth Education in a Rural Community

Research Team

Feng Chang, RPh, BScPhm, PharmD - Gateway and School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Claudio Munoz MD, PhD - Gateway Rural Health Research Institute
Dan Stringer, RPh, BSc, BScPhm - Gateway
Jenny Seguin, BScPhm candidate, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Maral Mirhosseini, BScPhm candidate, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo

Study Overview

An evident connection between health and wealth has been determined in several population studies, linking wealth to outcomes such as mortality, chronic disease, self-reported health status and functional status.  As people age, they experience many changes in financial status and health-related needs, many of which are unexpected and may be difficult to manage if not adequately prepared and educated. An educational program designed to teach community members who are in pre-retirement about health and finance as it relates to retirement will enable them to better self-manage their health as they age. Given that residents of rural Ontario suffer the added burden of lower income and more prevalent chronic disease, involving them in the development process of an educational tool will help to address their specific learning needs pertaining to retirement planning.

Study Objectives

  • To determine the present health and financial status and knowledge level in the pre-retirement population of Seaforth, Ontario.
  • To determine the best way to address the identified educational needs of the study population

Study Methods

  • Sample size: 30 participants
  • Age: 40-75 years old
  • Setting: Seaforth, ON
  • Completion of a questionnaire to gauge health and financial knowledge and status, participation in a structured interview to gather perspectives on the topic
  • Additional viewpoints will be gathered from an advisory panel focus group consisting of 7 retired members of the community

Study Status

  • Study undergoing ethics review by the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo
  • Data collection expected to begin in Fall 2011 by Jenny Seguin

® Gateway Rural Health Research Institute