Impact of PharmaTE Trial on Glycemic Control, Diabetes Knowledge, Medication Adherence and Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Mixed-Method Study Protocol

This study evaluates the impact of a clinical pharmacist-led tele-educational intervention (PharmaTE trial) on glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, medication adherence, and quality of life among adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a secondary care hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. The rationale for the study stems from the increasing prevalence of T2DM in the region, with many patients experiencing poor glycemic control and limited access to diabetes education. Previous evidence suggests that pharmacist-led interventions can improve treatment adherence and health outcomes. However, such approaches, particularly via tele-education, remain underexplored in the UAE healthcare setting. This is a mixed-methods study with an embedded design consisting of a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) and a qualitative component. A total of 154 eligible adult patients with uncontrolled T2DM (HbA1c \> 7%) will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive five tele-education sessions delivered by a clinical pharmacist, focusing on key aspects of diabetes self-management. The control group will continue to receive standard care without pharmacist-led education. Baseline and post-intervention assessments (after 3 months) will include HbA1c levels, patient knowledge (Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Tool), medication adherence (MMAS-8), and quality of life (DQoL). A subset of intervention participants will also be interviewed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the program. The findings are expected to support the integration of pharmacists into diabetes care models and inform future digital health strategies.