Paper/Poster Title
Pharmacists Provision of Non-Dispensing Services in Health Professional Shortage Areas
Advisor(s)
Natalie DiPietro Mager, PhD
Ohio Northern University
Pharmacy Practice
n-dipietro@onu.edu
Karen Kier, PhD
Ohio Northern University
Pharmacy Practice
k-kier@onu.edu
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Dean's Heritage Room
Start Date
22-4-2022 1:00 PM
End Date
22-4-2022 2:00 PM
Abstract
Background: Individuals living in primary care health professional shortage areas (PCHPSAs) experience health inequities. Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals with an opportunity to provide care to underserved populations. The objective of this study was to compare non-dispensing services provided by Ohio community pharmacists in PCHPSAs and non-PCHSPAs.
Methods: An electronic, IRB-approved 19-item survey was sent to all community pharmacists practicing in full PCHPSA counties and a random sample practicing in non-PCHPSA counties in Ohio (n=324). Questions assessed current provision of non-dispensing services as well as interest and barriers regarding such services.
Results: Seventy-three usable responses were received (23% response rate). Respondents in non-PCHPSAs were more likely to recognize their county’s PCHPSA status than those in a PCHPSA (p=0.008). Pharmacies in non-PCHPSAs were significantly more likely to offer 11 or more non-dispensing services than those in PCHPSAs (p=0.002). Nearly 60% of respondents in non-PCHPSAs reported starting a new non-dispensing service due to the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 27% of pharmacies in full PCHPSA counties (p=0.009). Barriers to providing non-dispensing services were reported, but interest in learning more information about providing such services was high among both groups.
Conclusion: Community pharmacists practicing in PCHPSA could positively impact their community if they were able to provide more opportunities for care for patients. The implications of this research may support the continued need for pharmacists in promoting public health and community efforts in PCHPSAs. Efforts for pharmacists to provide more non-dispensing services in PCHPSA could provide better access to care and promote health equity.
Recommended Citation
Kessinger, Haley L. and Landis, Emily R., "Pharmacists Provision of Non-Dispensing Services in Health Professional Shortage Areas" (2022). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 18.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2022/papers/18
Open Access
Available to all.
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health Policy Commons, Other Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
Pharmacists Provision of Non-Dispensing Services in Health Professional Shortage Areas
ONU McIntosh Center; Dean's Heritage Room
Background: Individuals living in primary care health professional shortage areas (PCHPSAs) experience health inequities. Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals with an opportunity to provide care to underserved populations. The objective of this study was to compare non-dispensing services provided by Ohio community pharmacists in PCHPSAs and non-PCHSPAs.
Methods: An electronic, IRB-approved 19-item survey was sent to all community pharmacists practicing in full PCHPSA counties and a random sample practicing in non-PCHPSA counties in Ohio (n=324). Questions assessed current provision of non-dispensing services as well as interest and barriers regarding such services.
Results: Seventy-three usable responses were received (23% response rate). Respondents in non-PCHPSAs were more likely to recognize their county’s PCHPSA status than those in a PCHPSA (p=0.008). Pharmacies in non-PCHPSAs were significantly more likely to offer 11 or more non-dispensing services than those in PCHPSAs (p=0.002). Nearly 60% of respondents in non-PCHPSAs reported starting a new non-dispensing service due to the COVID-19 pandemic compared to 27% of pharmacies in full PCHPSA counties (p=0.009). Barriers to providing non-dispensing services were reported, but interest in learning more information about providing such services was high among both groups.
Conclusion: Community pharmacists practicing in PCHPSA could positively impact their community if they were able to provide more opportunities for care for patients. The implications of this research may support the continued need for pharmacists in promoting public health and community efforts in PCHPSAs. Efforts for pharmacists to provide more non-dispensing services in PCHPSA could provide better access to care and promote health equity.