The Impact of Verbal Communication on Physician Prescribing Patterns in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive clinical research study was to identify which method of communication, verbal or written, has the greatest impact on physician adjustment of the antidiabetes medication regimen for hospitalized patients with hyperglycemia. METHODS: The medical records for 1026 patients hospitalized with diabetes at a large, metropolitan, not-for-profit teaching hospital were reviewed by the diabetes inpatient clinicians to identify hyperglycemia and the potential need to initiate or adjust the antidiabetes medication regimen. The study evaluated the effectiveness of verbal versus written communication between the diabetes inpatient clinician and the physician regarding cases where the current antidiabetes medication regimen was not optimal. RESULTS: Verbal interaction between the diabetes inpatient clinician and the physician resulted in a greater number of changes in the antidiabetes medication regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Communication modality correlates with changes in antidiabetes medications prescribed by physicians and may be an effective tool to facilitate inpatient glycemic control.