title: The MyHealthCheckup study: Training graduate students to implement cardiovascular risk screening programs in community pharmacies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite this fact and the development of effective antihypertensive drug therapy, hypertension is often poorly controlled. Community pharmacies are an ideal site for the management of hypertension and other modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The purpose of the current study was to develop and assess a pharmacy-based cardiovascular risk screening program implemented by graduate students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four graduate students trained as health coaches screened a convenience sample of adults who were interested in cardiovascular risk assessment in 21 Montreal area pharmacies. On the screening day, we assessed cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, used the Cardiovascular Life Expectancy Model, which includes cardiovascular age, to inform patients of their personalized risk profile, delivered an individualized health coaching intervention and conducted a participant satisfaction survey. This was followed by an individualized health coaching intervention. The intervention program was implemented by trained graduate students and supported by pharmacists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 238 patients who participated (57% female, mean age 60.6 years), 67% had a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m(2), 52% had abdominal obesity, 58% reported insufficient physical activity and 14% were smokers. A total of 120 patients (51%) were taking antihypertensive medication, yet 63 (53%) had blood pressure readings above currently accepted targets. Higher BMI and physical inactivity were associated with increased rates of poorly controlled hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The screening program identified individuals with modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and poorly controlled hypertension. The intervention program was well received by participants and the majority provided contact information for future cardiovascular screening clinics. These findings support the feasibility of screening programs run by graduate students in the pharmacy setting.
authors.forename: Hailey R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Banack
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaouche
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marchand
authors.forename: Ilka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lowensteyn