Implementation and evaluation of a student scholarship program to increase care initiatives in rural pharmacies.

Introduction: Availability of patient care services in rural areas is often lacking, which can reduce access to care for patients living in these areas. Patient care within community pharmacies is vital to care access in rural areas, but expanding pharmacy services can often be challenging. Pharmacy students, especially those on advanced pharmacy practice experiences, are positioned to make an impact on sites.

Methods: The objective of this study was to describe the implementation, evaluation, and impact of a student scholarship program designed to increase patient care initiatives in rural community pharmacies. Scholarships were provided to students to expand patient care initiatives targeting chronic disease in select rural community pharmacies. Before and after participating in the scholarship program, students completed a survey assessing their perceived ability and confidence to initiate new patient care activities. In addition, patient care services provided by students were tracked and reported cumulatively.

Results: During the first year of implementation, 24 student scholarship rotations were completed. Throughout the 24 rotations, 369 patients were screened for prediabetes, 391 were screened for hypertension, and 552 patients were screened for immunizations. Of the 27 items presented in the survey, 20 items showed a mean statistically significant change indicating an increase in student confidence in leading, developing, and performing patient care activities.

Conclusions: A student scholarship program designed to increase patient care initiatives in rural community pharmacies led to new patient care services in rural areas and increased student confidence in leading, developing, and expanding upon patient care activities.