RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess how a charitable pharmacy model affects patient perception of health care insecurity, physical and emotional functioning, and medication access in an underserved population. METHODS: New patients presenting for medication at their initial pharmacy visit at Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio were screened for eligibility during a 12-week enrollment period. Participants completed a baseline survey containing the Health Care Insecurity Measure (HCIM), Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12), and medication access questions. The follow-up survey, which contained the HCIM and VR-12 only, was administered during a pharmacy visit at least 14 days after the patient's initial visit. Survey data were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients met eligibility criteria, and 17 patients declined to participate. Of the 88 remaining participants, 33 (38%) completed the study (both baseline and follow-up survey). Of the 33 participants who completed the study, there was a statistically significant decrease from the baseline health care insecurity score (23.2 ± 11.1) to the follow-up score (17.9 ± 8.5; P = 0.0031). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that pharmacists working in a charitable pharmacy can have a positive impact on the sense of security patients feel about their health care and can better understand their medication-related needs.