CDE Pharmacists in the United States

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the study was to identify current practice settings for Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) who are pharmacists. Following nurses and dietitians, pharmacists are the third largest group of health professionals who hold the CDE credential. The growing number of CDE pharmacists highlights the increasing involvement of pharmacists in diabetes care. What remains unknown is the specific settings in which pharmacist CDEs practice. Methods A cross-sectional, nationwide electronic survey was sent to all CDE pharmacists in the United States. Questions regarding demographics, practice setting characteristics, certification information, and common diabetes-related counseling topics were asked of all respondents. Survey items also sought to determine pharmacists’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers to obtaining the CDE credential. The questions were dichotomous, Likert-scale response, or open-ended. Results A total of 462 survey responses were included in the analysis for a response rate of (462/1275) 36.2%. Respondents identified hospital or health system as the most common practice setting (n = 311), followed by academia (n = 100), community (n = 81), managed care (n = 44), and other settings. Conclusions Study findings provide important data that describe where CDE pharmacists are practicing to provide diabetes education. The continued steady growth of CDE pharmacists suggests a consistent increase of pharmacists practicing diabetes education. Diabetes educators should recognize that CDE pharmacists practice in a variety of different settings.