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A literature review of the impact of pharmacy students in immunization initiatives.
- Source :
- Canadian Pharmacists Journal (Sage Publications Inc.); May/Jun2016, Vol. 149 Issue 3, p153-165, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: Pharmacy students can help protect the public from vaccine-preventable diseases by participating in immunization initiatives, which currently exist in some Canadian and American jurisdictions. The objective of this article is to critically review evidence of student impact on public health through their participation in vaccination efforts. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Database, EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed literature on pharmacy student involvement in vaccination programs and their impact on public health. Papers were included up to November 17, 2015. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and extracted data from eligible full-text articles. Results: Eighteen titles met all inclusion criteria. All studies were published between 2000 and 2015, with the majority conducted in the United States (n = 12). The number of vaccine doses administered by students in community-based clinics ranged from 109 to 15,000. Increases in vaccination rates in inpatient facilities ranged from 18.5% to 68%. Across studies, student-led educational interventions improved patient knowledge of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. Patient satisfaction with student immunization services was consistently very high. Discussion: Methodology varied considerably across studies. The literature suggests that pharmacy students can improve public health by 1) increasing the number of vaccine doses administered, 2) increasing vaccination rates, 3) increasing capacity of existing vaccination efforts, 4) providing education about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases and 5) providing positive immunization experiences. Conclusion: Opportunities exist across Canada to increase pharmacy student involvement in immunization efforts and to assess the impact of their participation. Greater student involvement in immunization initiatives could boost immunization rates and help protect Canadians from vaccine-preventable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CINAHL database
HEALTH occupations students
IMMUNIZATION
MEDICAL databases
INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems
MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems
MEDICAL protocols
MEDLINE
ONLINE information services
PATIENT satisfaction
PHARMACISTS
PUBLIC health
QUALITY assurance
SOCIAL role
STUDENTS
VACCINES
SYSTEMATIC reviews
HEALTH literacy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17151635
- Volume :
- 149
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Canadian Pharmacists Journal (Sage Publications Inc.)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 114868568
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163516641133