Description of a Pharmacist-Led Mobile Health Clinic to Fill Primary Care Coverage in a Medically Underserved Rural Area.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Describe a mobile health clinic program led by pharmacists to provide services in a primary care shortage area. METHODS: ONU HealthWise is a comprehensive pharmacy service offered by Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy with a mobile clinic initiated in 2015. ONU HealthWise is located in an HRSA-designated medically underserved and primary care shortage area and the mobile health clinic visits 11-18 locations monthly plus additional sites for screening or vaccinations. Medical residents from a health-system attend some locations and collaborative practice agreements allow pharmacists to initiate and adjust medications. Student pharmacists rotate through the mobile clinic to gain experiential training toward their Doctor of Pharmacy. The mobile clinic is an integral part of the learning and precepting for ONU HealthWise PGY-1 residents. RESULTS: Over a 12-month period (July 2024-June 2025), the mobile clinic held 148 clinics across 7 rural counties in northwest Ohio. A total of 1265 screenings were conducted at 713 patient encounters (604 unique patients). Of the screenings, 38.1% of blood glucose, 21.6% of cholesterol, and 60.1% of blood pressures were abnormal. All abnormal tests resulted in either a medication adjustment, scheduled follow-up at future mobile clinic, or referral to a provider. Student pharmacists spent more than 3670 h on the mobile health clinic in experiential education. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists can be an integral healthcare provider by increasing access to primary care services through a mobile health clinic in a medically underserved area. The service provides learners with vital patient experiences.