Enhancing Pharmacy Students' Competencies in Continuous Glucose Monitoring Counseling: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination‐Based Training Evaluation

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Abstract
Background: As accessible health care professionals, pharmacists are increasingly expected to engage with wearable technology, such as with continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and their associated data that are driven by the ongoing digital transformation. However, formal education on CGM data and its interpretation as well as related digital tools is not yet routinely integrated into pharmacy curricula, leaving a gap in students' preparation. The aim of this study was to enhance pharmacy students' competencies and confidence in CGM counseling through targeted training and to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention. Methods: A 4‐h seminar was delivered focusing on CGM data and counseling procedures, including practical examples. Students' performance in CGM‐counseling and self‐assessment of their CGM competencies were assessed in a pre–post manner using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) checklists. Additionally, training satisfaction and perceptions of the future integration of wearables and their role in pharmacy practice were captured. Results: Following the training intervention, pharmacy students demonstrated a significant improvement in their consultation skills, with OSCE increasing from a mean of 19.12 (±7.66) to 63.47 (±12.34) percentage points ( p < 0.001). Additionally, participants reported a significantly higher self‐assessed performance and expressed notable satisfaction with the module. Conclusion: Targeted training in CGM counseling significantly improves pharmacy students' competencies specific to CGM data and enhances their confidence in this area. This training prepares students for interpreting CGM data as one example of digital health solutions and wearables. Whether similar training effects extend to other digital health technologies remains to be determined by future research.

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