Pharmacists Can Enhance Patient Confidence During Insulin Initiation

Community pharmacists play a vital role in supporting patients who are newly prescribed insulin. This moment can bring fear, confusion, and hesitation, making pharmacist-led education and encouragement essential to a successful start.

The first step is helping the patient understand what type of insulin they are receiving. Long-acting insulin helps manage blood sugar throughout the day and night, while mealtime insulin acts quickly to control glucose around meals. Intermediate-acting options like neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) have different characteristics and risks. Clarifying the type, purpose, and timing of insulin helps reduce anxiety and sets expectations.

Many patients view insulin as a sign of worsening disease or personal failure. Pharmacists can help reframe this mindset by emphasizing that insulin is a natural hormone, not a punishment. For those with type 1 diabetes, insulin is essential. For type 2, insulin is often temporary and may be de-escalated as blood glucose improves.

Proper technique is just as important as understanding. Whether using a vial and syringe or a pen device, patients need clear, step-by-step instruction on dosing, priming, and injection. Supervising the first dose, when feasible, can prevent critical errors and reinforce confidence.

Drug Topics® recently sat down with Susan Cornell, PharmD, CDCES, FAPhA, FADCES, experiential education specialist and professor emeritus at Midwestern University, to discuss the most important counseling points pharmacists should cover when a patient is picking up insulin for the first time and how pharmacists can handle conversations with patients who express fear or resistance toward starting insulin therapy.

READ MORE: Insulin Management Resource Center

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