STUDY OF PHARMACISTS’ AWARENESS OF PHARMACOTHERAPY PRINCIPLES, PATIENT COUNSELING, AND PREFERENCES OF CUSTOMERS WITH DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions, requiring continuous monitoring and pharmacological support. However, the level of awareness among pharmacy staff regarding T2DM and their readiness to provide counseling may vary significantly. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and informational needs of pharmacists in the Belgorod region concerning the counseling of T2DM patients, as well as to analyze the needs of diabetic patients. The study involved 155 pharmaceutical specialists from the Belgorod region. The analysis revealed that 54.2% of respondents considered their knowledge of T2DM to be comprehensive, 31.6% rated it as superficial, and 14.2% as unsatisfactory. Assessment of factual knowledge showed that only 72.2% correctly identified the primary symptoms of T2DM, while 61.9% recognized its complications. At the same time, a quarter of respondents reported difficulties in counseling diabetic patients. The main sources of information for pharmacy staff were webinars (65.8%) and medical reference materials (58.7%). The overwhelming majority of professionals (92.3%) expressed a need for additional training. In the patient-focused segment of the study, 396 individuals participated. Satisfaction with medical care was relatively high: 77.8% of patients were content with their physician consultations, and 72.2% positively evaluated the clarity and completeness of prescribed treatment information. However, 55.6% of respondents believed that pharmacy staff lacked sufficient competence in counseling on medication selection, usage, and dispensing. The demand for pharmaceutical information among patients was exceptionally high: 94.4% wanted details about drug synonyms and alternatives, 66.7% were interested in drug interactions, 55.6% sought information on diabetes prevention and risk reduction strategies, and half of the patients desired guidance on indications, administration rules, and medication costs. 50% of respondents preferred domestically produced medications, while 61.1% felt that the current pharmaceutical market offerings were insufficient for effective diabetes management. Additionally, 61.1% reported having to purchase diabetes medications and supplies at their own expense. The findings of this study can be utilized to enhance continuing education programs for pharmacists, optimize counseling services for diabetic patients, and improve the overall quality of pharmaceutical care for individuals with diabetes.