Impact of an Elective Diabetes Course on Student Pharmacists' Skills and Attitudes

To assess the impact of an elective diabetes course on student pharmacists' skills and attitudes about diabetes management.A 1-credit elective course on diabetes was developed that included a 1-week simulation experience during which students completed daily insulin injections, glucose checks, carbohydrate counts, and kept a daily log.A preintervention and postintervention survey was administered to assess students' attitudes toward and confidence in performing and teaching patients various diabetes self-management skills. Students' confidence in performing and teaching diabetes self-management skills significantly improved. Students' reflective writing assignment, diabetes logbook, weekly quizzes, and group presentation were also evaluated.A diabetes elective, which included a 1-week simulation of living as a diabetic patient, was an effective teaching method to increase students' confidence in performing and teaching diabetes self-management skills.