Descriptive Report of a Pharmacist-Directed Preconception Care Outreach Program in a Rural Maternity Care Desert.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pharmacy Practice
• Women's Health

Background:

• Preconception care is crucial for improving pregnancy outcomes and reproductive-age patient health.
• Rural areas often face challenges in accessing healthcare, particularly for specialized services like preconception care.
• Maternity care deserts limit access to essential health services for women in rural communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a community-based, pharmacist-directed preconception care outreach program.
• To address biomedical, behavioral, and social health risks among women of reproductive age in a rural maternity care desert.
• To improve access to health education, counseling, and referrals for women in underserved rural areas.

Main Methods:

• A pharmacist-directed outreach program was implemented at four community events, collaborating with a mobile health clinic.
• Supervised student pharmacists, residents, and faculty provided services to women aged 18-45.
• Program evaluation utilized the RE-AIM framework to assess reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance.

Main Results:

• The program served 141 women, with nearly 98% reporting at least one preconception health risk.
• 45% of participants reported barriers to accessing physician appointments in the past year.
• The outreach program demonstrated feasibility and adaptability for implementation in various settings.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacist-directed preconception care outreach is a feasible model for improving access in rural maternity care deserts.
• Such programs can effectively identify and address health risks and barriers faced by women in underserved communities.
• Community-based pharmacy services can play a vital role in extending healthcare reach to populations with limited traditional access.