The Value of Pharmacy Services on a Short-Term Medical Mission Trip: Description of Services and Assessment of Team Satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Pharmacists should be key members of a medical mission trip by providing assistance with medication knowledge and therapeutics. Objective: To determine the value of a pharmacist as a member of a medical mission team through (1) pharmacy interventions on 2 medical teams and 1 women's hearth team and (2) team satisfaction with the pharmacy services. Methods: Pharmacy interventions were documented by 2 medical teams and 1 women's health team and included, but were not limited to, dosing recommendations, medication selection, and therapeutic substitution. Team satisfaction was determined from a 10-question survey administered on the last clinical day to all team members except pharmacists, pharmacy students, and physical therapists. Results: The pharmacy service dispensed 2119 prescriptions, with an average number of prescriptions of 1.84 per patient. A total of 2340 interventions were provided by the pharmacy service, averaging 2.04 interventions per patient and 1.1 interventions per prescription. The survey indicated that a pharmacist serves an integral role for the multidisciplinary medical team. Conclusions: Pharmacists play an important role in a short-term medical mission trip by serving as sources for medication knowledge and ensuring appropriate medication therapy management as part of the interdisciplinary team.