Assessment of Patient Counselling Practices for Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents at a Teaching Hospital in Osun State

Counselling on oral hypoglycaemic agents is essential for correct medication use, prevention of hypoglycaemia, and achievement of glycaemic targets in type 2 diabetes patients. This study assessed the quality of patient counselling for oral hypoglycaemic agents at the pharmacy department of a teaching hospital in Osogbo, Osun State, South West Nigeria. A prospective observational study was conducted over three months, during which 180 counselling encounters for outpatients being dispensed oral hypoglycaemic agents were observed by trained pharmacist assessors. Counselling quality was assessed using a standardised 10-item checklist covering drug name, indication, dosing, hypoglycaemia symptoms and management, food interactions, missed dose advice, and follow-up scheduling. Exit interview questionnaires assessed patient comprehension and satisfaction. Results showed that mean counselling adequacy scores were 5.2 out of 10, indicating moderate quality. Hypoglycaemia symptom counselling was provided in only 31.7 percent of encounters, and food interaction information was given in 42.2 percent. Counselling for newly initiated patients was not significantly more comprehensive than for established patients. Patient comprehension of correct dosing timing was satisfactory in 68.9 percent. The study recommends structured diabetes pharmacist counselling checklists, mandatory refresher training, and integration of pharmacist-led diabetes education sessions into diabetes outpatient clinic workflows at the hospital.

Keywords: oral hypoglycaemic agents, patient counselling, diabetes pharmacy, Osun State, South West Nigeria