Improving patient care in Ghana…from Buffalo

The “trip” was comprised of four immersive experiences that allowed students to work with others internationally through educational and clinical projects, and learn how cultural differences impact patient care. Students Ali Mohammed, PharmD ’22, and Christopher Schneider, PharmD/MBA ’23, were project leads for the pharmacy school.

“I’m so proud of our students and all of their extra effort,” says Gina Prescott, clinical associate professor, pharmacy practice, and Global Health Outreach Coordinator for the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “It’s really remarkable to see them come together with another international school and gain a broader perspective on health care on a global level.”

Twelve UCC pharmacy students and more than thirty UB students participated.

The Educational Project paired UB students with UCC students to solve clinical patient cases and discuss the differences in healthcare approaches in both countries. They also shared cultural appreciation through weekly educational sessions hosted by faculty from UB and UCC. 

The Clinical Project was a collaboration between UB students, the UCC School of Pharmacy, and Nsawam Public Hospital in Ghana to create a pharmacy model that was applicable to all community pharmacies in Ghana. The final model offered suggestions to help to minimize patient wait times, increase patient compliance, create efficient tools to enroll patients in universal healthcare, and to help pharmacies transition to and implement the electronic healthcare system. 

For the novel Patient Engagement Project, UB and UCC students designed a video to engage patients in hospital waiting rooms. “We wanted to increase patient health literacy and help patients feel comfortable starting a conversation with their physicians about their health concerns,” says Ali Mohammed. The video focused on health issues specific to the citizens of Ghana, including high blood pressure, diabetes and nutrition. 

The Longwood Global Initiative Pilot Project explored diagnosing and correcting vision problems in patients using the Global Vision 2020 USee Kit, a cost-effective way to provide prescription eyeglasses in just a few minutes. The student team also discussed strategies for a subsequent pilot in the era of COVID-19.

In addition to the set projects, students also attended a lecture series hosted by faculty from the UB schools of medicine, nursing and public health, and attended virtual cultural sessions where they learned more about global health.