Where To Start

Integrating a pharmacist into your clinical team may seem intimidating. There are many things to consider, like where they fit into your current model. The options are endless on where to begin. You can start small and pilot a partnership with a day a week or half-day as some studies have used to first establish the benefit first hand. You can go all in, which would be in the practice and the patients best interests for the long term.
 
Also, how is this possible for care to be provided by a pharmacist? A collaborative practice agreement (CPA) is a written agreement between a phsyician or group of physicians with a pharmacist to delegate the level of authority a pharmacist can have. The CPA sets foundation and could ideally limit physician input with built trust and possibly a protocol.
 
There are numerous ways as to how the pharmacist can help your practice, as well. Similar to starting small, you could begin with a group of patients struggling to control one condition, such as diabetes. The other end of the spectrum is going all in with a range of complex patients from those with uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure to those that are on high risk medications or possible gaps in therapy.
 
The possibilities are endless – the key is to start somewhere. The pharmacist can expand their role using prescriptive authority granted by CPA delegated by the provider. Also, protocols can be utilized that exist or built to fit the needs of the practice.
 
This model allows the physician to shift patients to be seen by the pharmacist, so the physician can focus on other opportunities. The pharmacist can manage chronic conditions, assist with refill authorizations and adjust or add medications as needed.
 
Patients that transitioned to pharmacists have reported positive experiences and appreciate the care provided. With the training pharmacists receive in motivational interviewing, it is no surprise that the more a patient interacts with a pharmacist, the better their understanding of their conditions are and ultimately the management of those conditions.

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