During a weekly community riverwalk, interprofessional students from medicine and pharmacy provide free blood pressure screenings and health counseling. The RiverWalkers that agree to be screened receive health resources, information on free clinics, primary care providers, and nutrition guidance. Through this initiative, interprofessional students assess blood pressures manually while supervised by faculty, pharmacists and physicians. Holistic patient assessments, referrals, and counseling on medication adherence and lifestyle changes to maintain blood pressure goals. This program further addresses hypertension and promotes health literacy in Detroit. Students’ confidence in interviewing patients and assessing manual blood pressure readings is enhanced by participation in the program.
During this lightning talk, conference attendees will participate in a demonstration on communication and assessment by interprofessional students in assessing blood pressures of community members to maintain and advance their health. Utilizing an online blood pressure screening tool, participants will actively engage in Zoom breakout rooms. To attain feedback, participants will use a Worldcloud poll.
