INNOVATIONS in pharmacy

Accessibility of Diabetes Therapy Management for Patients with Visual Impairment

Cambrey Nguyen

University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

Lisa Lim

Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy

Emily Conard

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

Arinze Nkemdirim Okere

University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/iip.v15i3.6233

Keywords: Diabetes, Accessibility, Disability, Blood Glucose Monitoring

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Abstract

Introduction: According to the Centers for Disease Control, 11.8% of adults diagnosed with diabetes have severe vision difficulty or blindness, a complication of uncontrolled diabetes. The study evaluated the accessibility features of the most commonly used injectable products for diabetes and blood glucose monitors and obtained recommendations from manufacturers regarding use of these products in patients with visual disabilities.  Additionally, accessibility of the medication guides was assessed using a checklist and screen reader. 

Methods: Selection of the most commonly prescribed insulin products, GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, and blood glucose monitors were identified from the ClinCalc DrugStats database and ADA list. The accessibility features of these products were determined from the medication guides and verification of the information with the manufacturers were done in August 2022.  All medication guides were then assessed using a checklist and tested with a screen reader for accessibility. Descriptive statistics were used to report the data.  

Results: No injectable products or glucose monitoring systems were fully accessible and manufacturers advised to use the product with caution and/or required assistance from a caregiver or family member.  In evaluating the 14 medication guides for accessibility using the checklist, the most common issues were lack of structured headings to help with navigation, no descriptions for images, and tables did not have appropriate headers.

Conclusions: Due to the lack of accessible features on diabetes medical devices and glucose monitoring systems, healthcare professionals can seek alternatives to assist this patient population to effectively manage their therapy.