Pharmacist-driven mobile health clinics: a qualitative analysis of partnerships for program development, implementation, and operation

Background Mobile health clinics (MHCs), including those utilizing a pharmacist-driven model, offer an innovative solution to address access-related barriers to care. MHCs leverage local clinical and social service partnerships to address comprehensive needs within the community. To our knowledge, limited information is available to describe how pharmacist-driven MHCs develop and leverage partnerships to support their operations. This project aims to fill this gap by exploring the characteristics of partnerships in informing pharmacist-driven MHC operations and resulting impact. Methods This study used semi-structured interviews conducted with groups and individuals from ten pharmacist-driven mobile health programs. We examined how pharmacist-driven programs established and leveraged partnerships with their communities as well as the existing healthcare and social service landscape. Individuals that were involved in the development, implementation, and/or operation of a pharmacist-driven MHC were invited to complete an interview. Data was collected using a 23-item interview guide and analyzed using a mixed deductive (hypothesis-driven) strategy. Results Sixteen participants from ten pharmacist-driven MHCs completed an interview. Two subthemes emerged related to program partnerships: 1) programs leverage community partners as a key to success; and 2) programs leverage healthcare and social services within the community. Conclusions Community-based and healthcare/social service partnerships are critical in the success of pharmacist-driven MHCs. By fostering trust, facilitating access, and supporting long-term patient care, these partnerships collectively support program operations and enhance community impact.