Food for thought: Can community pharmacists help patients living in food deserts?

Community pharmacists can play an important role in helping patients who live in food deserts through screening, adjusting therapeutic recommendations and counseling practices, and making referrals to community resources. However, literature regarding community pharmacists’ knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding food deserts is scant. The primary objective of this study was to assess Ohio community pharmacists’ knowledge regarding food deserts. Secondary objectives included determining their attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers related to this topic. An anonymous 26-question survey was created and distributed to a random sample of 500 licensed community pharmacists in Ohio. Participants were granted 3 weeks to complete the survey and were offered a link to free Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education–approved continuing pharmacy education as an incentive. The survey was deemed exempt by the Institutional Review Board. The survey was successfully delivered to 491 pharmacists; 72 participated (14.7% response rate). About 43% of respondents were familiar with the term “food desert,” and less than one-third (31.9%) reported being aware of community resources. Of those who thought that some of their patients lived in food deserts, the majority indicated that they did not consider it in patient interactions (65.1%) and “never” adjusted their counseling practices (65.1%). Barriers that prevented them from referring patients included lack of knowledge and confidence as well as workflow constraints. About 68% of respondents somewhat or strongly agreed that pharmacists could help patients living in food deserts, and 65.3% were interested in learning more information about food deserts. Deficiencies in knowledge regarding food deserts and available resources were found among Ohio community pharmacists, but they showed interest in learning more information. Efforts should be made to educate community pharmacists about food deserts and to determine how to optimize their ability to assist patients as needed.