Chapters helping advocate for needy communities everywhere: An interprofessional approach to patient screening and medication management

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this project were to: (1) evaluate the impact of student-led medical screening, educational campaigns, and medication management and reconciliation and (2) report the number of students and underserved patients who participated and their satisfaction with the program. Methods: An interprofessional team of students and faculty created a program focused on medical screenings, group education, and medication management for indigent patients receiving basic medical convalescence services. Students provided once monthly education aligned with the National Observances Calendar, medical screenings and immunizations, and medication reviews including social and medical history, medication and immunization history, Modified Morisky Scale, and review of systems. Medication-related problems were identified and a plan for care created. Patients at each event completed a satisfaction and knowledge survey. Interprofessional students were sent a satisfaction survey after each event. Results: A total of 353 patients (342 men, 11 women), with mean age of 45 years, participated and received 807 medical screenings and immunizations and 76 medication reviews. The most prevalent medication-related issues were adverse reactions (24%) and insufficient dose (24%). Ninety-eight percent of the patients were satisfied with the program, and 63% of patients reported learning new health information. Patients have acknowledged follow-up care with a physician or dentist for abnormalities found during screenings. One hundred sixty-eight students have participated in the events. The participants have included students of pharmacy (79%), medical (14%), nursing (4.5%), and dental (2.5%), all of whom reported satisfaction. Conclusion: An interprofessional student-conducted program on medical screenings, health education, and medication management is beneficial in a convalescing underserved population.