APhA 2007: Woods/Martin Poster

Tonja Woods provides additional information about the project during the APhA presentation. Co-author Linda Martin is not pictured.

A poster presentation by Tonja Woods during the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting and Exposition held March 16-20, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia featured research done with co-author, Linda Martin, during interactive diabetes workshops. The poster was one of three presented by UW School of Pharmacy faculty.

"Improving Health Outcomes Through Self-Management in Seniors with Diabetes", Tonja M. Woods, Pharm.D., clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice and Linda G. Martin, Pharm.D., M.B.A., B.C.P.S., associate professor of social and administrative pharmacy.

Through state Department of Health Aging Division funding and participation from pharmacists and pharmacy students, interactive workshops on diabetes were held at senior centers throughout the state. Workshop participants included seniors with diabetes, caregivers, senior center and assisted living personnel, public health nurses, and diabetes educators. The main focus of the workshops was medications, although aspects of nutrition, exercise, and comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease were covered as well. Blood pressure measurement and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were obtained and participants were educated on the importance of setting and meeting goals with HbA1c and blood pressure. Approximately 125 of the 180 participants had their blood pressure and HbA1c measured. Most alarming was that nearly half of the participants were unaware of what the HbA1c was and how it differed from self-monitoring of blood glucose. Participants expressed appreciation for clarification on this point and felt they understood after being educated. Although not all post-workshop surveys have been completed, comments are favorable or highly favorable. One example from a senior with diabetes – "I have attended many of these and this one was the best."

Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007