Advances in International Clinical Pharmacy Practice, Education, or Training
Sunday, October 13, 2024
12:45 PM–02:15 PM
Abstract
Service or Program:
The International Health Service Collaborative, an initiative within USF Health International, serves as a platform for participants to contribute to global health awareness. Together with Universidad CES, they engage in medical and public health education and provide primary care to the residents of Comuna 2 in Medellin, Colombia. The development of the program consists of 3 phases: planning, implementation, and evaluation that occurs annually.
Justification/Documentation:
Recognizing that access to healthcare is limited and challenging for most residents in the community, the program yielded significant results this year, with over 430 individuals being seen and ~ 280 benefiting from educational initiatives. The project demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and addressed healthcare disparities. Tangible outcomes included increase access to care, strengthening community bonds, and enduring partnerships with the local university.
Adaptability:
By partnering with a local university, the program is establishing a long-term, sustainable care model and improve their overall health of the community. Each year a gap analysis is performed to determine needed services. In addition, effort is made to seek out partners that may assist with filling needs beyond the partnership’s ability. A variety of services are provided including internal medicine, pediatrics, ophthalmology, dentistry, gynecology, psychiatry, and nutrition. Each service was customized to meet the needs of the community.
Significance:
A major achievement was the movement from the traditional pharmacy pathway that relies heavily on dispensing and industry roles within Colombia to an environment that fosters pharmacy involvement with clinical decision-making. Implementation of new services and roles for pharmacists was a necessity to help meet the needs. An on-site pharmacy was present for dispensing, counseling and education. Additional areas of pharmacist involvement included conducting cardiovascular risk assessment, home health visits, diabetes education, and inclusion into the internal medicine and pediatric teams. This demonstrates the paradigm shift of the pharmacists’ role in Colombia.
Presenting Author
Paola Hernandez Velez PharmD CandidateUniversity of South Florida
Authors
Leilani Colon B.S.
University of South Florida
Temitope Falaju PharmD Candidate
University of South Florida
Judy Font PharmD Candidate
University of South Florida
Martha Merchan Grajales MBA
Universidad CES
Aimon Miranda PharmD, BCPS
University of South Florida
Christian Viola PharmD Candidate
University of South Florida