Pharmacist-driven mobile health clinics: a qualitative analysis of logistics for program development, implementation, and operation

Abstract

Background: Access to healthcare remains a major issue in the United States, particularly in rural communities. Mobile health clinics (MHCs), including those utilizing a pharmacist-driven model, are one effective solution to address access-related barriers. To our knowledge, limited information is available to aid in the development, implementation, and operation of a pharmacist-driven MHC model. This project aims to fill this gap by exploring the characteristics of existing pharmacist-driven MHCs. Methods: This project used semi-structured interviews, guided by a 23-item interview guide, conducted with groups and individuals from pharmacist-driven mobile health programs to identify logistics for the development of a pharmacist-driven MHC model. Fifteen pharmacist-driven MHCs that met the inclusion criteria were identified through a web-based search. Of these, eight programs agreed to participate (53%). An additional two programs were identified through snowball sampling, for a total of ten participating programs. Prior to the interview, programs completed a 14-item intake questionnaire to allow for adaptation of the interview guide. Interview data was analyzed using a mixed deductive (hypothesis-driven) strategy, in which four areas of inquiry, logistics, partnerships, outcomes, and lessons learned, were identified through a literature review process and guided the analysis. In this manuscript we focus on program logistics. Results: Sixteen participants from ten pharmacist-driven MHCs completed an interview. Six subthemes were identified related to program logistics: (1) programs exist to increase access to care; (2) programs have an awareness of scope/role; (3) programs identify and meet community needs; (4) programs meet patients’ needs; (5) programs have a small staff with large volunteer-base; and (6) programs have a three-step clinical workflow. Conclusions: By utilizing the MHC model, pharmacists may be better able to address health gaps while leveraging existing resources, and providing services tailored to the needs of the patients within a community. These findings may be used as a guide for the development, implementation, and operation of current and future pharmacy-driven MHC programs.