Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care cost. All patients with diabetes require a high level of clinical care to prevent the development of diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of a pharmaceutical care diabetic clinic within a primary care setting to standard care on clinical, humanistic and process outcomes in Type 2 diabetes patients. A randomised controlled trial was conducted in 9 general practices in Greater Glasgow Health Board. All patients with Type 2 diabetes, aged 18 years or over, taking an oral antidiabetic drug were recruited and stratified by practice, age, and gender, and then randomised into an active or control group. The patients in both groups were invited to a pharmaceutical care diabetic clinic within their general practice for three visits at three-monthly intervals. Active patients received review and allocated intervention by the pharmacist while control patients received review only without intervention by the pharmacist. Allocation remained blind until after the first evaluation. The pharmacist evaluated the appropriateness of the medication for the individual and their overall diabetic care. The pharmacist prepared a list of drug-related problems and a referral where appropriate. GP referrals were actioned in the active group but held back until after the conclusion of the study in the control group. Patient outcome measures include changes in HbA 1 c value, systolic blood pressure, health related quality of life (HRQOL), and drug related problems (DRPs) from baseline to the end of the study for both groups.

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This session will describe research approaches that have led to innovations in pharmacy practice. Specifically, the program will identify effective strategies to assess the impact of academic partnerships on advancing practicebased research at professional practice sites. This session will utilize a roundtable format to foster discussion and engagement among participants.

This study explored social workers’ perceptions of their role in providing palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses in six hospitals across Namibia. A qualitative grounded theory approach was use in which in-depth interviews were conduct with twenty (20) social workers. Several key findings are presented: First, the emerging constructivist grounded theory of social workers’ multi-dimensional roles in providing palliative include identities of advocate, assessor, broker, counsellor, educator, facilitator, patient liaison, mediator, discharge planner and manager of in-country referrals. Second, several participants’ uncertainties of what palliative care entails offered insight that they are in need of palliative care education and training. Third, healthcare professionals do not understand the role of the social workers and therefore social workers receive inadequate support from them. Fourth, there is a lack of in-service training and continuous education in palliative care. Fifth, there are inadequate practice opportunities in palliative care for undergraduate social work students. Finally, the well-being of social workers is another concern with limited debriefing opportunities available. Further research needs to be conducted and policy guidelines established to identify ways to improve the field of palliative care social work. In achieving this, formal education and palliative care practice opportunities for social workers need to be established, providing continuing education and establishing a Centre of Excellence on palliative care provision. This study argues that the social work profession is well positioned to draw upon its values, culture and experiences (particularly from their clients) to get involved in creating a constructivist grounded theory of social workers’ roles in providing palliative care. / Sociology / D. Phil. (Sociology)