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Official Newsjournal of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists

Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy
Interprofessional Health Screening Events at RFU

College Connection

by Rita Piro, PS-3, ICHP Vice President Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy

Pharmacists are integral members of interdisciplinary health care teams found in community, hospital, and industry settings among others. One way that Rosalind Franklin University (RFU) prepares students for success as future health care professionals is by incorporating interprofessional education throughout the curriculum and encouraging collaboration through multidisciplinary student organizations.

This year, members of the RFU ICHP-SSHP had the opportunity to participate in the RFU Body in Balance Health Fair, an annual event held at the Foss Park Community Center, which provides health screenings and educational materials to Lake County residents. Pharmacy students volunteered alongside students from podiatry, medicine, physical therapy, psychology, and physician assistant programs.

During the health fair, patients were able to visit different stations that catered toward their own specific health care needs. Physical therapy students performed balance and gait checks as well as fall prevention education. Podiatry students performed foot exams and peripheral neuropathy screenings. Pharmacy students administered flu vaccinations. Additional stations led by physician assistant and medical students included glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure screenings.

Interprofessional student teams collaboratively educated the public about common health problems, disease states, and preventative medicine. Each station was comprised of students from each health care program at RFU. The interprofessional education stations allowed students to have an open discussion with patients about topics focusing on cardiac education (hypertension and hypercholesterolemia), diabetes, smoking cessation, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Educational handouts were given to patients to help provide more information on certain disease states and healthy lifestyle modifications.

The event was successful and 47 patients attended the fair. It helped provide patients with important health information and resources to make informed health care decisions. It also allowed students from different health professions to gain valuable experience working together to provide effective patient-centered care.