Rx for Change: An integrative approach to community-clinical linkages and impact on health outcomes

IF 2.5 4区医学 Q3 PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association Pub Date : 2025-07-17 DOI:10.1016/j.japh.2025.102480

Rebecca R. Schoen, Tiffany Hatcher, Lisa Ripper, Tricia Morphew, Marla Breitbarth, Elizabeth Bunk Barton, Jennifer Padden Elliott

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Pharmacists provide patient education, medication management, and lifestyle support to help improve health outcomes. Expanding the pharmacist's role in community-clinical connections could increase access to health care, especially for populations that may experience multiple barriers to receiving care. The Rx for Change program was created as a response to the health disparities and high burden of chronic disease among the African American community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Objective

This pilot study hypothesizes that a well-coordinated, integrative approach to diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention and management will improve health outcomes in predominantly African American communities.

Methods

Participants met quarterly with pharmacists, enrolled in chronic disease management programs, and received support for diet and physical activity recommendations over a 1-year period. Demographic and clinical characteristics, readiness for change, program referral and participation, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

Rx for Change enrolled 52 participants that predominantly identified as Black (71.2%). One-quarter of participants were morbidly obese, one-third had Type 2 diabetes, and one-half had hypertension. Engagement with pharmacist visits was high with 82.7% completing at least 3 of 5 visits. Of those engaged with the National Diabetes Prevention Program, 25% lost 5% or more of their body weight and 75% reported completing the recommended 150 min of activity per week. Systolic blood pressure improved by an average of 11.7 mmHg for disease management program participants. Participants reported the medication reviews, health screenings, and diet and lifestyle support were helpful, with two-thirds reporting plans to work with a pharmacist in the future to promote their health.

Conclusion

A community-based, integrative approach was associated with improved health outcomes in predominantly African American communities.

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改变处方：社区-临床联系和对健康结果影响的综合方法。

背景：药剂师提供患者教育、药物管理和生活方式支持，以帮助改善健康结果。扩大药剂师在社区临床联系中的作用可以增加获得医疗保健的机会，特别是对于那些可能在接受护理方面遇到多重障碍的人群。Rx for Change项目的创建是为了应对宾夕法尼亚州匹兹堡市非裔美国人社区的健康差距和慢性病的高负担。目的：本初步研究假设，一种协调良好的糖尿病和心血管疾病预防和管理综合方法将改善以非洲裔美国人为主的社区的健康结果。方法：参与者每季度与药剂师会面，参加慢性疾病管理计划，并在一年的时间内获得饮食和体育活动建议的支持。评估了人口统计学和临床特征、改变的准备程度、项目转诊和参与情况以及临床结果。结果：Rx for Change招募了52名参与者，主要是黑人（71.2%）。四分之一的参与者患有病态肥胖，三分之一患有2型糖尿病，一半患有高血压。与药师就诊的参与度很高，82.7%的患者至少完成了5次就诊中的3次。在参加国家糖尿病预防计划的人中，25%的人体重减轻了5%或更多，75%的人每周完成了建议的150分钟的运动。疾病管理项目参与者的收缩压平均改善了11.7 mmHg。参与者报告说，药物审查、健康检查、饮食和生活方式支持是有帮助的，三分之二的人报告说，计划在未来与药剂师合作，以促进他们的健康。结论：在以非洲裔美国人为主的社区中，以社区为基础的综合方法与改善健康结果相关。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 医学-药学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

14.30%

发文量

336

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of the American Pharmacists Association is the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), providing information on pharmaceutical care, drug therapy, diseases and other health issues, trends in pharmacy practice and therapeutics, informed opinion, and original research. JAPhA publishes original research, reviews, experiences, and opinion articles that link science to contemporary pharmacy practice to improve patient care.