Advances in International Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Education, or Training
Saturday, November 11, 2023
11:30 AM–01:00 PM
Abstract
Service or Program:
Pharmacy faculty and students provided medication counseling to patients during interdisciplinary medical clinics as part of a short-term experience in global health (STEGHs) throughout the Dominican Republic. Health Literacy Tools (HLTs) are recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to increase patient understanding of health information but have not been considered for STEGHs. The pharmacy team developed a counseling approach which utilized the teach back method, World Health pictograms with translated labels, interpreters, and encouraging questions to counsel patients. A thirteen-question survey was developed to determine which method(s) was deemed useful by patients.
Justification/Documentation:
STEGHs are commonly utilized to provide care in remote areas throughout the Dominican Republic, but as far as we know, no studies have evaluated best practices or utilizing HLTs to provide medication counseling in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner in these settings. This service was developed as a pilot for a STEGH from 01/06/23-01/14/23 to counsel over 350 patients.
Adaptability:
Utilization of HLTs in a STEGH medical clinic pharmacy may provide appropriate counseling tools for patients with cultural and linguistic barriers. Utilization of all methods, except for interpreters, are free of charge and can easily be implemented into a pharmacist role for medication counseling on a STEGH. Pre-departure planning for creating pictogram/translated medication labels can also be developed, while interpreter costs can be built into a budget.
Significance:
The use of counseling methods on STEGHs has not been previously evaluated. This program may represent the utility of multiple counseling methods on STEGHs where cultural and language differences are present. Utilization of a variety of HLTs used in pharmacy counseling during a STEGH may be necessary and preferred by non-English speaking patients.
Presenting Author
Yael Marks BS, PharmDUniversity at Buffalo
Authors
Gina M. Prescott PharmD, BCPS
University at Buffalo
Berthliz Durand BA
University at Buffalo