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A cross-sectional investigation of a mobile health clinic run by undergraduate pharmacy students providing services to underserved communities

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Charlotte RichardsonORCiD, Professor Hamde NazarORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. Background: Mobile health clinics have been used to provide healthcare to underserved communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Student-led clinics, operated by undergraduate health students, offer valuable training while serving these populations. Aim: This cross-sectional study investigated the demographic characteristics and services provided by a mobile health clinic run by undergraduate pharmacy students, assessing its potential to reach underserved communities. Method: The mobile health clinic operated from October 2023 to April 2024, staffed by 36 fourth-year pharmacy students. Services included cardiovascular disease risk screening and lifestyle advice. Demographic and service data were collected using an electronic primary care system and analysed with descriptive statistics. Results: The clinic served 716 users, with a demographic breakdown of 53.2% female and 46.8% male, predominantly aged 31–60 years. Users were ethnically diverse. Services provided included blood pressure (91.3%), BMI (91.3%), and diabetes risk assessments (54.9%). Many users reported low risk for smoking and alcohol consumption, but varied levels of physical activity. Referrals were made for cardiovascular disease risk and lifestyle support. Conclusion: The mobile health clinic effectively reached a diverse, underserved population, providing essential health services and facilitating student training. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact and cost-effectiveness of such clinics, and the follow-up care for referred patients.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Maughan E, Richardson C, Nazar H

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy

Year: 2024

Volume: 46

Pages: 1546–1551

Online publication date: 24/07/2024

Acceptance date: 17/07/2024

Date deposited: 09/08/2024

ISSN (print): 2210-7703

ISSN (electronic): 2210-7711

Publisher: Springer Nature

URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-024-01783-1

DOI: 10.1007/s11096-024-01783-1

ePrints DOI: 10.57711/nyrb-rq26

PubMed id: 39046691

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