Searching for Solutions

Michael Shuman, PharmD, BCPP Clinical Staff Pharmacist

Shadi Doroudgar, PharmD, APh, BCPS, BCGP, BCPP Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management Associate Professor

Kevin Bozymski, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy

Angie Babin, BSPharm, MBA Senior Director of Pharmacy Programs The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Government Affairs Committee (GAC)

Psychiatric pharmacists integrated into CCBHCs can help address key requirements, including treatment planning, care coordination, monitoring, and quality.

Despite positive outcomes demonstrated by psychiatric pharmacists when integrated into healthcare teams, the financial investment required to integrate such services may be a barrier. The ability to demonstrate a return on investment (ROI) over a short period of time is imperative when persuading leadership to support a new clinical position.

The US is experiencing a severe shortage in mental health providers with an estimated 32% shortage of psychiatrists by 2030 and around $225 billion spent on mental health annually. To alleviate this shortage, the National Council for Behavioral Health Medical Director Institute endorses the use of advanced practice providers to improve patient access to mental health care, such as psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPPs).

To establish new psychiatric pharmacist services, it should be recognized that substantial operational changes for the organization and staff are being proposed (see Change Management). Recognition of this can help improve one’s chances at successfully completing any proposed changes in how patients receive treatment. According to one model for managing complex change, there are five elements necessary for success.

As educators and advocates for evidence-based psychotropic medication management, BCPPs in CAP decrease polypharmacy, increase medication adherence and knowledge, and enhance patient outcomes. Given the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among BCPPs, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and primary care providers, it is crucial for pharmacy administrators to respond and recognize the necessity of integrating pharmacy services into CAP and integrating BCPPs into pharmacy departments.

This paper is forthcoming and will be posted here upon publication (projected in fall 2024).