What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to identify barriers to clinical inertia in type 2 diabetes management among pharmacists and assess the impact of continuing education on their confidence and competence.

June 7, 2026

1514-P: Real-World Barriers Contributing to Clinical Inertia in Type 2 Diabetes: A Pharmacist-Focused Educational Outcomes Study

Key Points

This study aims to identify barriers to clinical inertia in type 2 diabetes management among pharmacists and assess the impact of continuing education on their confidence and competence.
Conducted eleven in-person programs and a webinar for pharmacists.
Administered pre- and post-program surveys to assess confidence in therapy management and identify barriers to treatment.
Analyzed survey responses descriptively for feedback on the educational program.
41% of pharmacists identified insurance and access issues as major barriers to therapy intensification.
37% noted patient adherence and lifestyle factors as significant challenges.
Post-program results indicate significant improvements in pharmacists' confidence and competence in managing clinical inertia.

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: The growing prevalence of diabetes requires responsive management. The objectives of this study were to characterize real-world barriers contributing to inertia in T2D among pharmacists and to evaluate changes in confidence and competence following a CE program. Methods: Local professional organizations were leveraged to reach hospital and ambulatory care pharmacists with eleven in-person programs and a webinar. Participants completed an 8-question pre-program survey that included Likert scale assessments of confidence in therapy intensification, guideline application, and patient counseling; questions identifying barriers to treatment selection and delays in therapy escalation; and an open-ended question assessing challenges to achieving desired outcomes. Participants also completed a post-program survey assessing changes in confidence and competence related to identifying clinical inertia and applying guideline-directed strategies. Responses were analyzed descriptively. Results: Pre-program survey data (N = 650) show key challenges were related to insurance or access challenges (41%) and patient adherence or lifestyle factors (37%). Patient-related barriers (eg, competing priorities, cost, health literacy) were cited most frequently as contributors to delays in therapy intensification (41%). Uncertainty around therapy sequencing was identified as a barrier. Post-program outcomes (N = 900) show consistent improvements in confidence and competence. Increased confidence in identifying inertia and applying guideline-directed strategies was observed, along with improved competence in clinical decision-making. Intended practice changes included earlier use of guideline-directed therapies and pharmacist-driven strategies to reduce therapeutic inertia. Conclusion: These findings informed targeted, case-based CE, with post-program outcomes supporting implementation-focused education to promote earlier treatment escalation in people with T2D. Disclosure D. Isaacs: Consultant; Current; Medtronic, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Speaker's Bureau; Current; Dexcom, Inc., Abbott, Insulet Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care, CeQur SA, MannKind Corporation, Novo Nordisk, Lilly. F. Buszka: None. B. Winters: None. M. Brixie: None. Funding An independent educational grant for the CE program was provided by Lilly.

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