Using the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process to address social determinants of health in patients with diabetes

Abstract

Owing to the accessibility of pharmacists and frequency of their patient encounters, pharmacists may be in the unique position to help recognize the impact that social determinants of health (SDOH) have on a patient’s health. The American Pharmacists Association wants to provide practical tools and resources for pharmacists to assess and mitigate SDOH with their patients. Through the use of a diabetes patient case and the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP), this article will highlight a few of the numerous items available to provide culturally and linguistically tailored disease management and health literate and numerate communication and to improve food security. Using tools and resources to address SDOH in the context of the PPCP allows pharmacists to develop an even more patient- and person-centered care plan with the goal of achieving optimal patient outcomes and reducing health disparities. As pharmacists gain comfort with using these tools and resources to address SDOH in their practices, they should continue to seek opportunities to learn about other SDOH and their impact on patients’ chronic medical conditions, including diabetes.