Pharmacist interventions in immigrant and refugee populations: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Global movement has heightened concerns regarding the well-being of immigrant and refugee populations. In the United States, the influx of refugees underscores the pressing need to address their unique health challenges, alongside social determinants of health (SDOH). Pharmacists are well-positioned to mitigate these disparities.

Objectives: This scoping review aims to identify pharmacist-led interventions targeting immigrants and refugees in the US.

Methods: A health sciences librarian created a comprehensive search strategy in 5 electronic databases. After deduplication and screening of 2603 studies by 4 independent reviewers, 10 were selected for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers. Selected articles were mapped to SDOH framework.

Results: Among the 10 manuscripts, 2 were randomized controlled trials, and 8 observational studies. Four manuscripts focused on the SDOH framework of Education Access and Quality and 6 on Healthcare Access and Quality. Under the former, 3 interventions focused on understanding how to access a pharmacy or understand medication directions while the fourth assessed hepatitis B education. Regarding Healthcare Access and Quality, both randomized controlled trials examined the impact of lifestyle interventions with medication therapy management. Four examined the pharmacists' role in providing health care access including chronic disease management, latent-tuberculosis infection, diabetes, and health screenings for metabolic disorders.

Conclusion: Ten pharmacist interventions proactively addressed barriers to health care in immigrant and refugee populations in the 2 SDOH domains that pharmacists are most in a position to aid; Education Access and Quality and Healthcare Access and Quality. The remaining SDOHs represent areas of opportunities for pharmacists.