Expanding Access to Patient Care in Community Pharmacies for Minor Illnesses in Washington State.

Introduction: As the shortage of primary care providers widens nationwide, access to care utilizing non-physician providers is one strategy to ensure equitable access to care. This study aimed to compare community pharmacist-provided care for minor ailments to care provided at three traditional sites of care: primary care, urgent care, and emergency department, to determine if care provided by pharmacists improved access with comparable quality and reduced financial strain on the healthcare system.

Methods: Pharmacy data was provided from 46 pharmacies and 175 pharmacists who participated across five pharmacy corporations over a 3-year period (2016-2019).

Teaching About Human Papillomavirus: Lessons Learned.

Occupational and environmental health nurses play a critical role in educating the public about human papillomavirus (HPV). With HPV vaccination rates remaining low, creative educational models should be explored.