CVS Health pharmacist
Matthew Scarnecchia could see the concern on the face of his patient. Richard,
a 59-year-old man who suffered not only from Type 2 diabetes but also high
blood pressure and high cholesterol, was alarmed by the results of his latest
blood-sugar test. His A1c was 7.5 percent — above his goal range of below 7
percent.
With a few questions,
Scarnecchia learned that Richard was worried about also getting low blood sugar
from his diabetes medication. It turned out that Richard was taking his
diabetes medication in the morning, but not eating until he was at his
workplace after a long commute. “I recommended that he take his Glipizide with
his breakfast at work to see if that would help,” Scarnecchia says. It did.
Just a few months later, Richard’s A1c had dropped to 6.3 percent and he was no
longer having low blood sugar readings.
Nearly as satisfying,
this one-on-one consult took place without either man leaving his desk, even
though they were 2,000 miles apart – one in Arizona, one in Florida. Through
his insurance provider, the patient had signed on to CVS Health’s Medication
Therapy Management program and met with Scarnecchia face-to-face via an online
app that can be accessed through any computer or mobile device.
Personal Consultations from Anywhere
Once enrolled in the
program, patients can slot in a video consultation from anywhere. In addition to
their regular doctor’s appointments, they can talk with a specialized
pharmacist who can advise on medication compliance, interactions and side
effects, and, most importantly, suggest some everyday adjustments, such as diet
and exercise, that can make an immense difference in controlling diabetes.
CVS Health’s Medication Therapy Management
program provides patients with one-on-one care with a specialized pharmacist
who can help them better manage their chronic condition from the comfort of
home.
A video meeting benefits
patients and pharmacists alike. A patient can show his or her latest
blood-sugar results or other medical reports without needing to mail them. If a
patient is having issues injecting insulin, the pharmacist can point to
possible alternative injection sites on a visual model. The one-on-one view
also allows pharmacists to pick up on nonverbal cues. “I can see if a patient
seems confused about their results and give explanations that might be
helpful,” says Scarnecchia.
Patients can take
advantage of this face-to-face coaching even before they might need medication.
With diabetes tied to so many other health concerns — high blood pressure,
nerve damage, heart disease — it’s especially vital to try to halt or slow down
the condition’s progress.
Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference
When an A1c of 5.8
percent tipped him into the prediabetic range, 60-year-old Jeff welcomed the
chance for video chats with pharmacist Brian O’Halloran, and has kept those
appointments every three to four months. “During our visits, we’ve discussed
healthy lifestyle changes,” says O’Halloran. “Jeff decided to stop drinking
diet sodas, and reported, nine months later, that he’d stayed off them.”
Small but attainable
goals are easier to meet, explains O’Halloran.
“In March 2018, Jeff
said he wanted to lose 5 pounds before his next time we talked. I told him
‘Don’t shop the aisles.’ That’s where grocery stores stock all the processed
foods. Instead, I suggested he shop the perimeter — where he could pick up
fresh vegetables and meats. When we spoke again in July, he’d lost 6 pounds.”
Both pharmacists find
that patients look forward to the on-screen sessions, which often last for 30
minutes. Even a patient’s family member may stop by to wave hello, says
Scarnecchia. Patients can also contact the pharmacist in between scheduled
sessions. When a patient shares good news about improved bloodwork, O’Halloran
warmly congratulates them on their success.
For diabetes patients, a
video visit is part of the “big picture” of managing of their condition.
Patients can ask questions that may not have occurred to them while in their
doctor’s office. “It’s more like a conversation,” says O’Halloran, “and more
comfortable for the patients.”
To learn more about our
enterprise-wide approach to diabetes management and care, visit our
Managing Diabetes with CVS Health page.
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latest updates and innovations from CVS Health, register
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12.10.19
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