Development and implementation of a pharmacist-managed university-based wellness center

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pharmacy Practice
• Health Promotion

Background:

• University-based employee wellness centers offer a unique setting for health promotion.
• Integrating public health activities into pharmacy curricula enhances student training.
• Pharmacist-managed centers can serve as a model for various practice settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of a pharmacist-managed wellness center.
• To evaluate the center's public health initiatives and impact on student pharmacists.
• To provide a scalable model for campus-based wellness programs.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of the Academic Research Center for Pharmacy Care at Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy.
• Conducting over 19,000 screenings for conditions including elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, and abnormal body mass index.
• Integrating wellness screenings into the pharmacy school curriculum and offering experiential rotations for student pharmacists.

Main Results:

• Significant percentages of individuals screened required referral for elevated blood pressure (16%), total cholesterol (23%), blood glucose (8%), low bone density (43%), abnormal skin findings (21%), and obesity (26%).
• A total of 70 student pharmacists participated in wellness clinical rotations between 2004 and 2006.
• The center successfully provided health screenings across campus, local communities, and the wider region.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists are well-positioned to lead public health initiatives in diverse settings, including employee health centers and community pharmacies.
• Pharmacist-managed wellness programs can effectively identify individuals requiring primary preventive care and referral.
• The developed model demonstrates the successful integration of public health and pharmacy practice, adaptable to other healthcare environments.