CPD activity

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• What do I want to learn?
• What will I gain from this learning?
• What will my employer gain?
• What difference will it make to people who use my services?

Treatment for people who have type 2 diabetes should be individualised. Appropriate HbA1c targets will vary from patient to patient; home blood glucose monitoring may or may not be suitable for them, and frequency of review dates may differ. 

When considering pharmacological options for blood glucose management, the NICE guideline offers options for initial drug treatment, stepping up of therapy (intensification) and further treatment options. 

Common factors to consider in tailoring pharmacological management plans include:

• Safety
• Efficacy 
• Personal preferences 
• Comorbidities 
• Polypharmacy 
• Likelihood of benefit 
• Marketing authorisation/product licence 
• Cost. 

A personalised approach is particularly important in the context of multimorbidity, and the patient’s needs and circumstances should be considered at each review. Pharmacy technicians can help patients to prepare for their reviews by encouraging them to think about their priorities, advising them to make a note of any health and lifestyle changes and ensuring that they have all the tools they need to make informed decisions.