In a few short months, I will graduate with a degree in pharmacy. With the increasing demand for pharmacists in healthcare, my options are wide and diverse. In approximation, 62% of all pharmacists serve in community pharmacies. This is significant because they aid in reaching out the services to the hard to reach areas. Other settings where pharmacists work are managed care, pharmaceutical industries, armed forces, hospitals and public health. With my innate need to help those in dire need, I reckon that a career in public health settings and more precisely service in the community is more enticing than in any other settings.
Underserved Rural Areas in Minnesota
Areas or populations to be designated as medically underserved are evaluated via an index based on four variables. These variables include infant mortality rates, the proportion primary care physicians for every 1,000 population, percentage of the population aged above 65 years and the ratio of the population below the poverty level. Based on these criteria, several areas within Minnesota have been designated medically underserved. These include the counties of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pork, Norman and Houston among other counties. Medically underserved populations inhabit the counties of Pipestone, Lincoln, Yellow Medicine and parts of Lac qui Parle. They are also found in the counties of St. Louis and Pope.
Unique Needs of the Populations
One of the unique health care needs for these populations is better maternal services. This is evidenced by the high infant mortality rates. Some of these areas reports that are higher than the average for the state. These rates are attributable to poor hygiene and sanitation. Due to the low ratios of primary care physicians to the population, these populations are not able to acquire primary care services for their infants. These needs are compounded by challenges in accessing community based services. Upon graduation, it is my endeavor to help these populations meet their needs.
Plans and Strategies to Meet their Needs
Information is very vital in meeting the needs of these underserved populations. As such, I will be involved in community based education programs aimed at disseminating information to the underserved areas. Additionally, mobile clinics help reach out to those populations that may not easily access primary care facilities. Through this strategy, their health care needs will be met and this will help reduce the infant mortality rates.
