Course Summary

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are advancing diabetes management (type 1, type 2, and gestational) and reducing the burden of diabetes care on patients and their caregivers. Using the CGM data, diabetes management shifts from reactive to proactive, and the real-time data enables insulin treatment changes to happen in a timely manner. CGM allows for remote monitoring, allowing diabetes care teams to monitor patients living in remote communities or with limited mobility.  For type 1 diabetes, integrating CGM with an insulin infusion pump allows for near artificial-pancreas functioning. The following sections provide an understanding of the different types of CGM, the value of CGM in improving glycemic control, the potential risks of using CGM, and the need for health clinicians to understand the role of CGM in managing diabetes.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• History of Continuous Glucose Monitoring
  • Understanding the Mechanism of Continuous Glucose Monitoring
  • Components and Features of CGM Technology
  • Predictive Alerts and Clinical Applications
  • Alternative Uses of CGM
• Clinical Applications
  • Glycemic Targets: The Role of Time in Range, Highs, and Lows
  • Age-Specific Glycemic Targets and CGM Goals
  • Glycemic Control & Reduction of HbA1c
  • Hypoglycemia Prevention
  • Improved Quality of Life
• Warnings and Precautions for CGM System Use
  • Device Interference & Limitations
  • Medication Interactions
  • Calibration Requirements
  • Contraindications
• Adverse Effects: Common Challenges with CGM Use
  • Skin Reactions
  • Insertion Site Discomfort
  • Sensor Inaccuracy
  • Delayed Readings
  • Device Malfunctions
  • Potential Negative Psychological Impact
• CGM Use in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• Initial and Ongoing CGM Monitoring
  • Initial Assessment
  • Ongoing Monitoring
• Clinical Pearls
  • Insurance Coverage Challenges
• Role of the Interprofessional Health Team
• Case Study: Use of CGM as a Motivational Tool in Type 2 Diabetes
• Summary

Authors

Elisabeth Gordon, BScPharm, RPh

Elisabeth Gordon earned her BSc(Pharm) from the University of British Columbia in 2004. After graduation, she worked in community retail pharmacies on Vancouver Island, before returning to her rural hometown of Salmon Arm. In 2016 and 2017, Elisabeth trained with Pallium Canada and Victoria Hospice to enhance her knowledge of end-of-life-care and palliative services. She is a volunteer medical supervisor for T1DOutreach, a peer support platform for adults living with type 1 diabetes, and a member of a Canadian peer support group for adults living with Birdshot Uveitis. Elisabeth enjoys working in a small, fast-paced rural pharmacy where she brings compassion and empathy to her everyday practice.

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.