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Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Pandemics: Pharmacy Students Impacting Pharmacy Practice in Puerto Rico Through Medication Therapy Management Services During Disasters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2024

Lillian Arce ,
Genevieve Hale Open the ORCID record for Genevieve Hale [Opens in a new window] ,
Nile Khanfar ,
Nicolle Pérez Ayala ,
Gabriela Aponte Torres  and
Harriel Acosta Medina
Lillian Arce
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico Regional Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Genevieve Hale*
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico Regional Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nile Khanfar
Affiliation:
Department of Sociobehavioral and Administrative Pharmacy, West Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
Nicolle Pérez Ayala
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico Regional Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Gabriela Aponte Torres
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico Regional Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Harriel Acosta Medina
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico Regional Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
*
Corresponding author: Genevieve Hale; Email: gh341@nova.edu.
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Abstract

Background:

Community-based medication therapy management advanced pharmacy practice experiences (MTM APPE) can engage pharmacy students in public health initiatives, including emergency response preparedness, to successfully impact patient care. This study aimed to evaluate pharmacy students’ perceptions of their experience on an MTM APPE during disasters in Puerto Rico.

Methods:

After completing the MTM APPE during times of hurricanes, earthquake or pandemic, pharmacy students were asked to voluntarily participate in a questionnaire about their perception of assisting during a disaster. The survey consisted of 5 questions. Four questions were based on a Likert scale with answers choices ranging from Agree, Not Sure, Disagree, or Not Applicable. One question requested free text comments from participants.

Results:

Sixteen students completed the survey. Pharmacy students agreed that the MTM APPE taught them the clinical skills needed to assist and educate individual patients and the community that suffered from a disaster, and that the role of the pharmacist is vital when a disaster disrupts a community’s health-care system.

Conclusions:

Training in emergency response to disasters should be a considered component of MTM APPE.

Keywords

pharmacymedication therapy managementEmergency PreparednessHealth EducationPublic Health
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 18 , 2024 , e31
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc

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