Zeitschrift für pharmazeutische Pflege und Gesundheitssysteme
Offener Zugang
ISSN: 2376-0419
ISSN: 2376-0419
David N Ombengi
Background: Health care disparities continue to exist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with underserved groups experiencing a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, other chronic comorbidities, and associated risk factors. Pharmacists have the training and ability to perform physical assessment, conduct screening tests, and educate patients on the prevention and treatment of many disease states. The objective of the study was to develop a pharmacist-led, community-based health screening service to address health disparities through academic-community partnerships.
Methods: A community engagement research approach was used to partner with the target communities, determine leading chronic diseases, and develop health screening and preventive services that would most benefit the community based on the community identified healthcare needs. Operational testing of the health screening services was conducted to refine the screening workflow, train students and faculty to ensure efficient delivery of the services.
Results: Collaborations were developed with longstanding local community service organizations to strengthen and leverage resources within the study area. A point-of-care community health screening program for obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and high blood pressure was established and launched in the target community. The services continue to be provided in the community by pharmacists and pharmacy students from the School of Pharmacy.
Conclusion: A community-based research approach was successfully used to develop and implement a pharmacist- led community health screening service intended to address health care disparities in an underserved community. This paper will describe the community-based research approach to the development and implementation of this service intended to address health care disparities.