Pharmacists' anticipated pain compared to experienced pain associated with insulin pen injection and fingertip lancing

Objective: There are many barriers to the initiation of insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes, and healthcare provider attitudes may be one factor that can significantly impact patient acceptance. The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences between pharmacists' anticipated pain associated with insulin pen injection and fingertip lancing vs. their experienced pain during a practical educational session. Methods: Pharmacists rated their anticipated and experienced pain using a 10 cm visual analogue scale. Results: Anticipated pain associated with insulin pen injection was rated significantly higher than experienced pain (N=358; mean/median 4.0/4.0 vs. 1.3/1.0, respectively; W=-14.325, p<0.001). Findings were similar for fingertip lancing (N=361; mean/median 3.6/3.0 vs. 1.6/1.0, respectively; p<0.001). Anticipated pain associated with insulin pen injection was rated significantly higher than that of fingertip lancing (p=0.01); however, experienced pain from fingertip lancing was rated higher than that of an insulin pen injection (p=0.001). Experiential learning may be an effective way for healthcare providers involved in diabetes education to gain further knowledge about insulin initiation and eliminate misconceptions, particularly with respect to the use of injection devices. The personal experience gleaned from such practical educational sessions can be applied to interactions with patients in order to address insulin initiation fears.