Rural public health education as a pharmacist-led team endeavor

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the state of public health provision and education in North Dakota and to identify the current and potential future roles pharmacists and pharmacy educators play in these activities. SettingRural, medically underserved areas of North Dakota, as well as professional training sites for the practitioners working in these areas. Practice descriptionPractice sites encompass both rural community pharmacies and critical-access hospital pharmacies. The primary education practice site is North Dakota State University. Practice innovationPharmacists in rural North Dakota are proactive leaders in providing public health care to their patients. For example, they participate in a statewide diabetes disease management project similar to the Asheville, NC, project. Pharmacy educators are leading the formation of a new interprofessional Master of Public Health program. Main outcome measureDevelopment of an interprofessional public health education program that allows for greater collaboration among rural health practitioners. ResultsThe new degree program is successfully negotiating the academic approval process. ConclusionBecause of the efforts of pharmacists and pharmacy educators, North Dakota is better prepared to face current and future public health challenges.