From Campus to Community
UH Pharmacy Students "Go Public"

Recognizing the needs of Houston's older citizens, the University of Houston College of Pharmacy initiated an innovative community service program 20 years ago called the Brown Bag Medication Review. This program, which is still going strong, enables pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists to visit with older members of the community in a variety of settings such as community service centers, neighborhood church centers, and nursing homes, and educate them about their medications and proper drug usage. In these reviews, volunteer pharmacists and UH students review medications with each senior, discussing the effects of each drug, how and when it should be taken, possible side effects and drug interactions.

Through the efforts of this program, the UH College of Pharmacy has reached more than 15,000 people in Houston and the surrounding area. In a number of cases, students have helped identify problems that could potentially have serious health consequences. For example, students have discovered drug interactions and/or complications requiring physician and/or pharmacist intervention. These interventions have further identified noncompliance issues, duplication of therapy, problems with drug side effects, uncontrolled blood pressure, non-therapeutic dosing and prescribing errors.

With the success of the Brown Bag Medication Review program, the UH College of Pharmacy has taken its community service program to a higher level. The Brown Bag Medication Review is now part of a larger, more comprehensive program known as the Community Wellness Program. The program partners different community groups and organizations together to provide community services. As participants in this program, UH College of Pharmacy students and faculty have the opportunity to enhance traditional ways of learning as well as foster a concern for social problems and develop professional and patient relationships.

Some of the services now offered through the Community Wellness Program are osteoporosis screenings, personalized drug interaction profiles, community education seminars, blood pressure screenings, and diabetic foot exams. Most of these services are free to the public. However, there may be a minimal charge for some services to cover cost of materials.

Future services to be offered as part of the Community Wellness Program include immunizations, blood sugar testing and diabetes education, cholesterol screening, and stroke screening.

In addition to their involvement with the Community Wellness Program, UH pharmacy students partner with other colleges and universities to operate a homeless clinic and sponsor and participate in health fairs. They also work with the American Heart Association to provide blood pressure screenings at health fairs, and as members of the AHA Speakers' Bureau, they provide educational seminars for the public. In addition, students are in the beginning stages of operating asthma disease management sites in local community pharmacies.

With the shift of health services from institutional-based practice to managed-care models in community-based settings, the UH College of Pharmacy will continue to expand its efforts to provide services in the community.

---

©2006 Texas Medical Center

---

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/04_01_01/page_03.html