Pilot study of patient perception of pharmacists as care providers based on health screening encounters with student pharmacists

Objectives: To assess how patient perceptions of the clinical role of pharmacists may be affected by use of the AIDET communication tool during student-led health fairs, as well as how such events can help promote pharmacy practice. Setting: 12 community health fair screenings throughout northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, from February to November 2012. Practice description: University of Minnesota-College of Pharmacy students trained in the use of AIDET employed the tool's techniques in their communication with health fair patient attendees. Project participants were those patients aged 18 years and older who successfully completed a health fair survey. Practice innovation: The AIDET communication tool is designed to provide consistency in patient encounters through the use of key words at key times. AIDET is a mnemonic acronym that stands for acknowledge, introduce, duration, explanation, and thank you. University of Minnesota-College of Pharmacy students are taught how to use the AIDET framework in classroom and laboratory settings prior to their interactions with patients at area health fairs. Intervention: Health fair attendees were asked to complete a survey to determine their satisfaction level with student pharmacist-delivered pharmacy services. Evaluation: 87 patients were surveyed, with a response rate of 22.5% and a completion rate of 91.6%. The average age of the patient population for the study cohort was 52 years, with greater than 50% being 65 years or older. Patient ages ranged from 24 to 89 years. Results: When AIDET techniques were employed in a health fair setting, patients reported high levels of satisfaction with pharmacy services and said they felt "happy, comfortable, and trusting." Conclusion: The AIDET framework provides a consistent process for patient- centered care delivery because it places emphasis on patient needs and expectations. Use of the technique is capable of enhancing student and pharmacist engagement with patients.