A pilot workshop to help refugees navigate the U.S. pharmacy system

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess refugees’ understanding of the U.S. pharmacy system; to determine whether an educational workshop improved understanding. SettingU.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants–affiliated institute, Manchester, NH. Practice innovationStudent pharmacist–led workshops for refugees, including slide presentation, interactive activities, and demonstration. Main outcome measuresComparison of pre- and post-workshop responses to knowledge-based questions about the U.S. pharmacy system; ability to interpret a medication label pictogram; comfort level and willingness to speak to a pharmacist. ResultsSignificant post-workshop increases were seen in awareness that identification is needed when filling a prescription, that prescription medication labels have refill information, and that a translator can be requested in U.S. pharmacies. Participants who had not used a U.S. pharmacy before the workshop showed significant improvement after the workshop in mean percentage of correct responses to knowledge-based questions; those who had previously used a U.S. pharmacy did not. Participants who were in the U.S. for less than 3 months showed significant improvement in mean correct responses to knowledge-based questions after the workshop; those who were in the U.S. for 3 months or more did not. Participants’ comfort level and willingness to speak to a pharmacist were not significantly increased after the workshop. ConclusionParticipants who were in the U.S. for the least time and those who had never used a U.S. pharmacy showed significant increases in understanding specific aspects of the U.S. pharmacy system after an educational workshop. Participants’ comfort level and willingness to speak with a pharmacist did not change post-workshop.