Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Pharmacy Administration
First Advisor
Erin Holmes
Second Advisor
Joseph Dikun
Third Advisor
Jennifer Parsons
Relational Format
Thesis
Abstract
Community pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare providers in the United States and play an increasingly important role in improving patient outcomes. This study observes whether geographical distance and demographic differences influence patient healthcare needs within community pharmacy settings. Communities in Wisconsin and Mississippi, approximately 800 miles apart, were compared due to differences in population demographics, socioeconomic factors, and disease burden.
A survey was distributed to community pharmacy employees, including pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and pharmacy technicians, to assess common disease states, medication patterns, pharmacy workload, and patients' barriers to care. Twelve responses were collected from pharmacy employees.
Despite the differences in demographic and socioeconomic composition, the results reveal similar patterns for all questions. These findings suggest that while disease prevalence and other factors may vary between states, the overall healthcare needs of patients in community pharmacy settings are similar. Community pharmacists, therefore, play a critical role in addressing chronic disease management, improving medication adherence, and providing accessible healthcare services regardless of geographical location. Expanding the clinical role of community pharmacists may help reduce health disparities and improve patient outcomes in diverse communities.
Recommended Citation
Jadin, Katie R., "Tale of Two Pharmacies" (2026). Honors Theses. 3604.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3604
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