Student perceptions about developing an evidence-based public health program directed toward a vulnerable population

• Published in: Currents in pharmacy teaching and learning 2013-04, Vol.5 (2), p.76-84
• Main Authors: DiVall, Margarita V., Edwards, Roger A., Stevens, Craig A., Zilberman, Elina, Watanabe, Mark D., Kirwin, Jennifer L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Community engagement; Health disparities; Outreach; Pharmacy education; Public/population health
• ISSN: 1877-1297; 1877-1300
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2012.09.004

We aimed to develop, implement, and assess a project designed to expand student pharmacists' knowledge of public health principles and increase confidence in designing public health outreach programs. As part of a pharmacotherapeutics seminar, students designed a public health program that addressed a given health issue in a vulnerable population in a Boston-area neighborhood, taking into account population-specific cultural, economic, and lifestyle factors. Students constructed a patient-targeted pamphlet and delivered a professional presentation describing the program design, implementation strategies, and intended outcomes. Pre- and post-tests assessed students' confidence in creating, implementing, and evaluating a program during the first 2 years of implementation. Survey participation was ≥96% for both surveys each year. Students' confidence in their ability to influence vulnerable population health significantly increased after this activity. They reported an increase in their ability to: find and interpret epidemiological data as it pertains to population health, create educational materials for patients, and create a feasible outreach program on a selected health issue taking into account patient-specific cultural, economic, and lifestyle factors (P