Implementation of a student pharmacist-directed cardiovascular risk-reduction screening event

BackgroundStandards from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education require student pharmacists on advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) rotations to be involved with direct patient care activities. The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Center for the Advancement of Pharmaceutical Education mandates public health as a curriculum target. Involving APPE student pharmacists in disease-prevention programs fulfills both requirements.ObjectivesStudy objectives were to provide student pharmacists with experiences for direct patient interaction, engagement in a public cardiovascular disease health screening, and to evaluate the impact of student pharmacist screening and consultation on patient behaviors to reduce cardiovascular risk.MethodsThree free health screenings providing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and body mass index (BMI) screenings were held at underserved community pharmacy locations. APPE students provided the screenings, conducted cardiovascular risk assessments, and counseled patients on their results. Students administered a follow-up questionnaire to determine the impact these interventions had on patient behaviors.ResultsA total of 51 patients participated. Only 24% of the participants knew their cholesterol levels prior to the event, and 12% knew their BMI. Education delivered by the students influenced patient-reported lifestyle behavior change, specifically initiation of an exercise program, healthier eating habits, and tobacco cessation.ConclusionsStudent pharmacists were successful in developing and implementing a cardiovascular risk-screening program. This program provided the students with a significant educational experience that included direct patient contact and a positive impact on patient behaviors.