Organization and results of student pharmacist bone mineral density screenings in women

Abstract

Objective: To describe the organization and results of student pharmacist-run screenings of bone mineral density (BMD) among women living in the community.

Setting: Iowa City from March 2008 to April 2009.

Practice description: Student pharmacists operated a BMD screening service at several community-based screening events, including university-sponsored health fairs and community pharmacy events. Interested individuals were invited to have their BMD screened; however, only women aged 21 years or older were asked to participate in the data collection. A risk factor form was completed by consenting participants before BMD screening using a quantitative ultrasound densitometer. Upon screening completion, T- and Z-scores were recorded and participants were counseled on their results.

Practice innovation: Student pharmacists worked to increase public awareness of bone health through the organization of BMD screenings. Working with faculty, a training process and screening-flow outline were developed to allow students to conduct the BMD screenings independently while adding to their education and increasing public health awareness in a community setting.

Main outcome measures: T- and Z-scores from BMD screenings.

Results: Eight student pharmacist-organized BMD screenings were conducted during the course of 14 months. A total of 322 women participated in the screenings and data collection. The mean (±SD) T- and Z-scores for these participants were 0.03 ± 1.30 and 0.52 ± 1.13, respectively. A total of 62 (19.4%) women screened had an increased risk of fracture based on a T-score of -1 or less, whereas approximately two-thirds of all women had better-than-average BMD.

Conclusion: Student pharmacists provided the community with free screenings that brought BMD scores to the attention of hundreds of women. Counseling sessions that accompanied the screenings contributed to the women learning more about their risks for osteoporosis. Based on these student pharmacist-run BMD screenings, we encourage other student pharmacist organizations to conduct similar screenings.