Laura C Palombi1, Amy LaRue2, Kerry K Fierke3. 1. Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Duluth, 232 Life Science, 1110 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812-3003, USA. Electronic address: lpalombi@d.umn.edu. 2. Health and Human Performance Department, University of Wisconsin-Superior, 1402 Marcovich Wellness Center, 1810 Catlin Avenue, Superior, WI, 54880, USA. Electronic address: alarue@uwsuper.edu. 3. Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Duluth, 232 Life Science, 1110 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN, 55812-3003, USA. Electronic address: kkfierke@d.umn.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The opioid crisis is a major public health priority for most United States communities and requires multi-disciplinary and multi-pronged approaches. Despite this, there is considerable unfulfilled potential for engagement of academic pharmacy with community partners to form mutually-beneficial relationships. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine how an opioid-focused Engaged Department Initiative might increase partnerships with rural community members and positively impact faculty teaching, service, practice and research while addressing a critical public health crisis in northern Minnesota. METHODS: A multidisciplinary department at a College of Pharmacy participated in an 18-month Engaged Department Initiative focused on building community partnerships to address the opioid crisis in rural communities of northern Minnesota. This initiative included internal, departmental-specific components, as well as external components focused on meeting opioid-related needs in the community. RESULTS: This initiative resulted in statistically significant increases in faculty understanding of and appreciation for community engagement, as well as the creation of impactful community-led programming focused on prevention and intervention of opioid use disorder. The community partnerships that were formed and strengthened throughout the Engaged Department Initiative have led to continuing opioid-related engagement activities with an ever-increasing number of surrounding communities. CONCLUSION: An Engaged Department process allowed one department to bring a higher level of attention to community engagement to the entire College of Pharmacy and to incorporate goals and initiatives related to community engagement into a new collegiate strategic plan.
BACKGROUND: The opioid crisis is a major public health priority for most United States communities and requires multi-disciplinary and multi-pronged approaches. Despite this, there is considerable unfulfilled potential for engagement of academic pharmacy with community partners to form mutually-beneficial relationships. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine how an opioid-focused Engaged Department Initiative might increase partnerships with rural community members and positively impact faculty teaching, service, practice and research while addressing a critical public health crisis in northern Minnesota. METHODS: A multidisciplinary department at a College of Pharmacy participated in an 18-month Engaged Department Initiative focused on building community partnerships to address the opioid crisis in rural communities of northern Minnesota. This initiative included internal, departmental-specific components, as well as external components focused on meeting opioid-related needs in the community. RESULTS: This initiative resulted in statistically significant increases in faculty understanding of and appreciation for community engagement, as well as the creation of impactful community-led programming focused on prevention and intervention of opioid use disorder. The community partnerships that were formed and strengthened throughout the Engaged Department Initiative have led to continuing opioid-related engagement activities with an ever-increasing number of surrounding communities. CONCLUSION: An Engaged Department process allowed one department to bring a higher level of attention to community engagement to the entire College of Pharmacy and to incorporate goals and initiatives related to community engagement into a new collegiate strategic plan.
Authors: Nabila El-Bassel; Louisa Gilbert; Tim Hunt; Elwin Wu; Emmanuel A Oga; Trena I Mukherjee; Aimee N C Campbell; Nasim Sabounchi; Damara Gutnick; Robin Kerner; Kamilla L Venner; David Lounsbury; Terry T K Huang; Bruce Rapkin Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2021-03-18 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Matthew B Downer; Luke W Duffley; Phillip B Hillier; Kieran D Lacey; Madison J Lewis; Josh H Lehr; Brooke E Turner; Richard B Berish; Jill Allison Journal: Can Med Educ J Date: 2021-12-29