As the practice setting profiles on this site illustrate, there are diverse opportunities for psychiatric pharmacists to be creative when it comes to improving the lives of their patients. Many members have been the "first" to develop a new model. Patients and physicians appreciate the unique and complementary role of a pharmacist. Health-systems are embracing a team approach to care. They realize the contribution of clinical pharmacists and behavioral health providers to improving outcomes and reducing overall healthcare costs. The ongoing transition from fee-for-service to value based payment opens the door for pharmacists to demonstrate their merit.
At the CPNP Annual Meeting, panelists from various, practice sites present their current clinical service/practice sites and provide advice to residents and new practitioners regarding their path in creating this service. These testimonials provide inspiration as you move into your first psychiatric positions.
Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs) create a formal practice arrangement between a pharmacist and a prescriber. CPAs improve the efficiency of team based care by delegating specific responsibilities to the pharmacist once a relationship of mutual respect and trust is developed between the pharmacists and a collaborating provider. CPAs reduce the burden on physicians and allow them to share patient care responsibilities with other experts on the team.
Explore helpful NASPA resources for developing collaborative practice agreements.
The medical community is receptive to the value clinical pharmacists add as part of team-based care. There is significant potential for pharmacists who are flexible and willing to help transition an established practice to rely on the expert knowledge of a skilled clinical pharmacist. The American Medical Association (AMA) has published a module on Embedding Pharmacists Into The Practice.
