Using the health belief model to assess the impact of student pharmacist-led health outreach events

Abstract

IntroductionThis study sought to assess the impact student pharmacist-led health outreach events had on participants in the Health Belief Model domains of perceived severity of disease, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy. MethodsThis study was an observational pre‐/post-survey design conducted between January and December 2019 at student pharmacist-led community health outreach events in the Salt Lake City, Utah metropolitan area. The survey was developed partially based on the Health Belief Model and consisted of seven items with a five-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). The survey was completed by participants before and immediately after engaging in the outreach event. ResultsA total of 31 participants across a variety of demographics and educational backgrounds completed the study. The surveys from the outreach events showed statistically significant increases in the participants' perceived severity of disease, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy. Perceived benefits was not significantly changed. ConclusionsStudent pharmacist-led community health outreach events significantly increase participants' perceived severity of disease, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy, which may indicate increased willingness to adopt the recommended health behavior.