Qualitative Needs Assessment of Pharmacy Services in an Arizona-Mexico Border Community Clinic

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To identify the pharmacy service needs of providers and staff at the San Luis Walk-In Clinic, and to evaluate whether the addition of a dispensing pharmacy to the clinic will benefit the community of San Luis. METHODS: Two focus groups were conducted with employees of the clinic: one with providers and another with supportive staff. Subjects discussed included major health issues at the clinic, where patients received health care products and information, barriers to receiving health care, beneficial pharmacy services and products, and the role of pharmacists in health care. Data was collected regarding whether participants were providers or staff members and whether they lived within or outside of San Luis. These sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for recurrent themes and patterns. RESULTS: The first focus group consisted of three providers, one of whom was living within San Luis, and the second group was comprised of six supportive staff members, five of whom were from the community. In regards to pharmacy service needs, providers cited medication management, patient education, and treatment recommendations as beneficial resources. Both groups identified the top four major health problems seen in their clinic as hypertension, diabetes, allergies, and dyslipidemia, and barriers to adequate healthcare included financial issues, time constraints, transportation, and lack of education. CONCLUSION: There is a need for pharmacy services, including medication therapy management and disease state education, at the San Luis Walk-In Clinic. This need likely extends to many rural communities throughout the nation.