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283315
Student pharmacist in-language services: Targeting an unmet need to impact hepatitis B management in Asian Pacific Islanders
HepBFreeLasVegas (HBFLV) provides Hepatitis B education, screening, and referral services for medical management, with an emphasis on APIs. Roseman University College of Pharmacy (RUCOP) partnered with HBFLV to provide student-pharmacists as in-language (Mandarin/Cantonese/Thai/Vietnamese) speaking volunteers to the API population of Las Vegas in order to target an unmet need.
A needs assessment meeting with HBFLV and RUCOP clinical faculty members identified and categorized in-language speaking student-pharmacist volunteers by language type. Opportunities to assist with both community Hepatitis B screening events and one-on-one specialized physician appointments were coordinated by RUCOP faculty. Identified student-pharmacists were matched by language to specific volunteer opportunities in order to meet the needs of HBFLV.
Out of a total enrollment of 418 student-pharmacists, 145 (34%) of the student body self-identified as API, with 31 (22%) volunteering in-language services. Through this collaboration with HBFLV, student-pharmacists provided 509 total patient encounters at 6 separate community events, which lead to 64 of patients being vaccinated, 28 identified with CHB, and 23 entering into care.
Student-pharmacists are uniquely qualified to provide both medical knowledge and therapeutic relevance of CHB by addressing a culturally sensitive topic and public health challenge in a linguistically appropriate context. Following the CDC's endorsement of public health partnerships with pharmacists in chronic disease management, this targeted intervention can serve as a model to improve vaccination rates, adherence to therapy, and overall improved patient outcomes.
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Learning Objectives:
Identify a potential role for student pharmacists in the team based management of Chronic Hepatitis B
Describe the potential impact of implementing a collaborative relationship between Colleges of Pharmacy and a Community Non-Profit Organization
Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Pharmacists
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am involved in the care of patients with CHB through my role as a clinical pharmacy faculty member who practices at the county health department, as well as through my role as President of the Nevada Public Health Association. I was directly involved in the implementation of the described work in the abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.